Life jackets

[Steve Foss]

Quick question. Are those old-fashioned orange life jackets (not the vest kind, but the kind that went back around your neck and over your chest and had a strap), still Coast Guard approved?

I'm kind of embarrassed not to know the answer myself, but many of the current life jackets (vest style) cost a bomb, and the nylon fabric is so sheer that they break down in no time. I'm always on the lookout for used vest life jackets with the older strong fabric, but I also see lots of the orange ones common 30 years ago.

[Savage Brewer]

Those vests, while not stylish or comfortable, are some of the only ones that will turn a person laying face down over onto their back if knocked unconscious.

I believe they are known as Type I PFD's.

[SkunkedAgain]

Correct. They are still legal. From the MN boating regs:

Quote:

Life Jacket Requirements

The following personal flotation device (PFD) requirements* apply to all inland and border waters of the state. State law also requires children under 10-years-old to wear a life jacket on board all boats, with some exceptions. See pages 16-17. The requirements for PFDs are as follows:

On all boats, regardless of length (including canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards and duck boats), there must be a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V wearable PFD (life jacket) for each person on board. Type IV throwable devices, such as buoyant cushions, are no longer acceptable primary lifesaving devices. IN ADDITION, on boats 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks) there must also be at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV throwable device, such as a buoyant cushion or ring buoy immediately available for each boat.

The law does not state that PFDs must be worn, only that they are readily accessible except for personal watercraft (Wave Runners, Jet Skis, etc.) and children under 10. (see page 16) HOWEVER... we highly recommend that PFDs always be worn by everyone on board any boat. Check the label on the PFD to make sure it is a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device and what type of device it is.

[highlife4me]

Life preservers do not have an expiration date like car seats do but maybe the should. I don't know if I would want to rely on one that has been stuck under the bench seat of a boat for the last 40 years. Nothing wrong with an old one its just that some people take better care of them than others.

[Ufatz]

Well, I don't recall ALL the details and rules from my days as a USCG licensed operator there are a couple of things I DO remember. If you are inclined to buy old equipment that has been tossed around for a couple decades at least do this: check for compression of the floataton material; check to see the material is still strong and does not tear easily. Check all straps and buckels to make SURE the will function in an emergency. Many of those old PFD's were not of particularly high quality to begin with-made just so people could "meet the minimum" legal requirements.

Personally I lean the OTHER way: I don't want some old cheap carp found stored under the boathouse. I want stuff that will function in a high stress situation and something that will be easy for my clients/passengers to understand and use.

[ClownColor]

Old fasion as in style i think he's talking about. You can buy them new in stores for pretty cheap. Got a four pack that covers all guests in my boat...who forgot their own.

[Old Dewjabber]

Last I saw they were like 7 1/2 bucks. Thought about grabbin a couple myself for extras.

[harvey lee]

I have 2 of them simply for extras incase we have another who needs one. I am in the process of going all inflatable but it may take another year to get them all.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

Yes!!! They are still legal and they probably do a better job of saving a life because they are designed to roll a person over onto their backs and keep the head up. As stated elsewhere in this post you have to make sure they are "serviceable" and not worn out with compressed "foam" or whatever they are made of.

Mike

[Steve Foss]

Thanks, friends.