Seachoice General Purpose Life Vest

Wearable personal flotation devices (PFDs), also known as life jackets, life preservers, or buoyancy aids, are the most essential piece of individual safety equipment on a boat. These come in a wide variety of configurations and styles, making it challenging to navigate the options and arrive at the right purchasing decision. To assist you, we have prepared this comprehensive PFD buying guide to answer your questions and guide you in selecting the appropriate PFDs for your needs.

By federal law, recreational boats must have one wearable PFD correctly sized for each person onboard. We offer a range of sizes, including infant, child, youth, and adult, based on weight and/or chest circumference. Ensuring a proper fit is crucial, as a loose or ill-fitting PFD may not function as expected or, worse, may not be worn at all. To test the fit, grasp the wearer's PFD at the shoulders and pull upward. If it rises above the wearer's chin or ears, it is too loose or too big, and you should either tighten the straps or go down one size.

Wearable PFDs for recreational boating can be divided into two categories: general boating, worn when the wearer does not expect to get wet, and water sports, worn when contact with the water is likely to occur. Inflatable PFDs, which inflate automatically when submerged, belong to the first category, as do most inherently buoyant PFDs (vests filled with buoyant foam panels). Multi-sport and ski PFDs feature several adjustment points for a snug fit that won't shift or ride up in the event of high-speed impact with the water.

It is crucial to wear your PFD, as an unworn PFD will be useless in an emergency. Half of all boating fatalities due to drowning occur close to shore in calm waters, and in most cases, the life jackets were stowed, not worn. So, don't just bring your PFD onboard, wear it!

To help you find the right PFD, we have provided a sizing chart for infants, children, youth, and adults, including universal and extended sizes. Additionally, we offer a variety of PFD types, including general purpose, keyhole inflatables, multi-sport, ski, and commercial models, each with their own unique features and applications.

In summary, selecting the appropriate PFD is essential for your safety on the water. By understanding the various options, sizing considerations, and the importance of proper fit and wear, you can make an informed decision and ensure your personal safety while enjoying your boating activities.

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