What's the Best Life Jacket? | BoatUS

The best life jacket is the one you will wear. BoatUS Magazine's Lenny Rudow shows you the different types of life jackets and PFDs to help you decide which is best for your style of boating and water activities and comfort level. He covers life vests, inflatable life jackets, offshore life jackets, belt packs, float coats, watersport life jackets, and more. He'll show you the latest in boating safety equipment including inflatable life jackets and belt packs and demonstrate how they work. Learn more at www.boatus.com/expert-advice/...
🚩Enjoy this video? Become a BoatUS Member today to get 25+ valuable benefits including a subscription to award-winning BoatUS Magazine! boat.us/e/sy-join
🚩Visit the BoatUS Magazine website: www.boatus.com/Expert-Advice.
BoatUS is the nation’s largest association of recreational boaters with more than half a million Members. We provide a diverse offering of services including marine insurance, on-the-water towing provided by TowBoatUS, the nation’s largest fleet, plus boat financing, graphics and lettering, representation for boaters on Capitol Hill, the award-winning BoatUS Magazine and much more. For more than 50 years, BoatUS has made boating safer, more affordable and more accessible.
🚩Download the BoatUS App today to access NOAA marine weather, tides, exclusive Member discounts, and your BoatUS account. Assistance on the water has never been easier with TowBoatUS CONNECT in the BoatUS App - the fastest way to get a tow! boat.us/sy-app
🚩Connect with us:
/ boatus
/ boatus
/ boatus
/ boatus
/ boatus
#lifejacket #boatingsafety #boatus #pfd

[@YoelGuerra]

thank you for actually demonstrating the 2 inflatable ones. I had no idea they could go bad and malfunction

[@boatus]

Thanks, Yoel. Yes, it's so important to check both the canisters and the dissolvable pill on the hydrostatic inflation system, particularly if you live in a very humid area. In the case of the belt pack, the canister had backed itself out. It was also pretty corroded, so it was a great opportunity to show what happens if they're not maintained.

[@vimalneha]

Very important video and I had to download it.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching! There are a lot of good options out there.

[@s0nnyburnett]

Should have mentioned what it says on your website about Type 3 water sports jackets that they don't keep your head upright. No material behind your head to help keep you upright. I didn't realize that about my own vest jacket, I hadn't considered it.

[@boatus]

You're absolutely correct about the watersports life jackets, s0nny. Thanks for pointing that out. Each design is a compromise in its own right: Offshore vests might offer excellent protection, but they are hotter, bulkier, and restrict movement. Go with the watersports vests and they are less bulky but, as you point out, they don't keep your head upright. A belt pack is low profile and unobtrusive but pretty much useless if you are unconscious in the water and/or can't put it over your head. That said, the best life jacket is the one you're willing to wear, so we like to show what's out there to give folks choices. And you'd be surprised at how many folks don't know about some of the newer inflatable options available.

[@ReviewsBuster57]

i appreciated this video. I am very new to all of this and will be taking my inflatable dingy to the ocean, so I bough 2 life jackets Mustang Survival, type 111PFD is good for offshore fishing ???

[@boatus]

Max, here's what the US Coast Guard says: Type III life jackets are for general boating or the specialized activity that is marked on the device, such as water skiing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and others. Good for calm, inland water or where there is a chance for fast rescue.

[@thewhomphlew]

Nice tiderunner back there...

[@jrgenrasmussen8840]

Were can i buy the Yamaha model ? Cracy with it

[@boatus]

Thanks for the question, Jørgen. You can order it direct through Yamaha or at a retailer that carries it: www.shopyamaha.com/product/details/men-s-yamaha-neoprene-2-buckle-pfd-15vne?b=Watercraft+Riding+Gear&d=25|25&ls=yamaha-motor-company&dealernumber=

[@thestrayjay2678]

i'll be honest. Type 1 and inflatable life life jackets are the most comfortable for me. Type 1 is good/great if you like body hugging sensation, warmth, not a good swimmer and can keep you afloat real well. Some Type 1 also have nice comfortable fabric for skin and dont have to worry about scratches, rash or chafing. Inflatables are lightweight, comfortable and don't get in the way. Inflatables are not good for non swimmers, under the age of 16 (unless there are inflatables available for younger than 16), require maintenance and are more buoyant. Crotch straps are really useful to stop the life jacket from rising up and keep you higher in the water. They might not be the most comfortable but when worn right and done up properly, there should be no issues.

[@boatus]

Thanks for your feedback, Jay. Your points are great. The key is to find a life jacket that is comfortable and that you will wear. They don't do any good in a locker. Each jacket has its own pros and cons. Belt packs, for example, are low profile. However, if you fall overboard and get knocked out, or you lose the use of your arms to manually inflate it and put it over your head, it won't be helpful. I think I still have flashbacks to the crotch straps on the jacket I wore when I was a kid, but you're right--they do serve an important purpose and I'm still here to tell the tale at nearly 50!

[@thestrayjay2678]

@@boatus yep. Im new to the boating and life jacket scene and can say there is no excuse not to wear a life jacket. I remember the old school ones being irritating, bulky, uncomfortable and chafing when sitting down. The most comfortable to me so far is the crewsaver 165n. The crotch strap isn't too bad, when fitted correctly hardly notice it. I use life jackets for swimming use like pools and getting used to how they feel and learn the techniques. Being unconscious or can't move your legs or arms, manual or belt pack life jackets become useless unless you have a friend or someone to help you out. It's better to have a Type 1 or Automatic (that is regularly serviced) to have in possible situations where something like that could happen. I've never felt more comfortable swimming in the water (controlled situations) with a life jacket inflatable or foam. You can relax there and chill out enjoying the water, sunshine or feeling of being secure in water.

[@boatus]

@@thestrayjay2678 If only more people felt the same way. ... Welcome to boating! Sounds like you're on your way to a fun and safe experience on the water.

[@thestrayjay2678]

@@boatus thank you so much. I'm not big on boating just more for fishing or going with friends for a cruise on the water as a passenger and more into life jacket safety as they should be used not just for boating but for a lot of water related activity. Safety and Health is number 1.

[@lindseybsims]

3:21 did any one see the C02 canister

[@boatus]

It was in rough shape for sure! Lenny pulled that one out of the storage shed so we could demonstrate the important point that canisters need to be checked regularly.

[@adeborrelli5106]

Fairly good video. After reading the comments I noticed that the effect of your demonstrations of the inflatable versions was very negative. I think it would be worth a mention that they were both quite ad examples. I use automatic inflatables on my sail cruiser and I know they are all in perfect working order because I test them every winter and keep a record of auto valve dates. There are many makes and types and the 2 you demonstrated wouldn't even make it on to my boat. Both were very cheap and nasty, certainly not the best example. I've now seen a few life-jacket videos on KZbin and they are all american, I'm starting to think that american't manufacture a decent life-jacket.

[@boatus]

Thanks for your thoughts, Ade. Not sure what you mean by them being bad examples. The Onyx life jacket inflated perfectly. It's a very good quality life jacket. The waist pack is a viable alternative, though it has some serious drawbacks. Obviously the one we had was very old and had some issues, and we wanted to use that as a good example of why it's important to check inflatable life jackets often. That one was stuck in a closet not being used due to the age/condition. The reality is that while we all know life jackets are a good idea, many people won't wear them for myriad reasons. We want to present as many options as possible in the event we can convert just one person to wearing a life jacket. The best life jacket is the one that's worn. None are 100% but we know they do save lives.

[@gwizz777]

I just ordered one of the Onyx it failed ….. going to cancel my order.

[@boatus]

Yikes! Can you explain how it failed? Hopefully no one was injured.

[@xaronzero2946]

dude, the co2 bottle is rusted out lol

[@boatus]

Good eye! Yup, it was a great opportunity to show the importance of checking inflatable life jackets on a regular basis according to manufacturer recommendations.

[@user-jz4cm4iz6r]

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, CALL PFD's : PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICICES "life jackets". NO, NO, NO! DHR

[@boatus]

Yes, we realize there is a technical distinction between a PFD and a life jacket, however, most people use the terms interchangeably -- correct or not. Our style at BoatUS Magazine is to always use "life jacket," not "PFD," but online use may differ.

[@Igorsov]

Holy shit! Please don’t ever advertise those inflatable ones 🙈

[@boatus]

Why do you say that?

[@gwizz777]

An advertisement is supposed to make you want to own one! The only good thing about this video is it’s high probably it will fail.

[@htownsfinest87]

This was a horrible explanation of the type of jackets other than what you think is comfortable..... the jacket was ridiculous unless you're fishing on deadliest catch. Not to mention the extra safety gear you want attached when overboard, those auto inflate are trash and meant for bass fisherman.

[@boatus]

We hear you and thanks for the feedback. Surprisingly, not a lot of folks know there are such a wide range of life jacket options. And while some of the options aren't ideal for various reasons, I think you'd have to admit that wearing any approved life jacket that fits properly is better than not wearing one at all. As for the float coat, Lenny primarily fishes, so it's great for him to wear in the shoulder seasons. It provides warmth and flotation should he need it. But it might not be the best choice for the boating you do. That said, we will likely do another life jacket video in the future, and we will certainly take your feedback into consideration as we're planning.