Statistically Safe
Today's inflatables: easy to wear with benefits hard to ignore
~by Vince Daniello

It’s simple math. Drowning represents about 70 percent of boating deaths each year. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) 2006 Boating Statistics report, of the 474 people that drowned only 51 were wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs). That leaves 423 people who might still be alive had they worn a life jacket.

Most of these fatalities were man over-boards or boats that capsized in daylight and calm seas. This means you’re most likely to find yourself in the water when you’re least likely to expect it, so you don’t want to be in there without a PFD. Thankfully, today’s inflatables are more comfortable and more effective than ever, making it foolhardy not to wear a PFD at all times.

While inflatables have improved markedly in recent years, regulations regarding them haven’t kept pace. The USCG’s classifications seem to mirror the familiar Type II or Type III ratings of traditional “inherently buoyant” PFDs, but ratings for inflatables are not based on the same in-the-water performance qualities as the traditional life vests are. Instead, they’re rated on features like automatic versus manual inflation and on properties that make them quick to don and adjust. Adding to the confusion, upgrades like integrated safety harnesses actually lower USCG ratings.

As for USCG safety equipment requirements, either Type II or Type III inflatables can directly replace traditional life vests, but Type V inflatables must be worn at all times to be counted among required PFDs. Inflatables are never acceptable for children less than 16 years old or those weighing less than 90 pounds.

Ratings aside, a PFD you’ll actually wear is far better than one that remains stowed on the boat. Choose models that are most comfortable to each family member, and therefore more likely to be worn. Keep a set of traditional PFDs onboard to meet USCG requirements.

The simplest inflatables are belt packs. They sit comfortably on your waist and provide a manual, pull-cord inflated keyhole vest similar to the life vests on commercial airplanes. The drawback is a looser fit in the water, however, since they’re more likely to be worn, a sloppy fit is better than no PFD. Priced around $100, most belt packs carry Type V approval, provide 38 pounds of buoyancy and are acceptable for offshore use. Slightly more compact models intended for inshore waters are also available. The SOSpenders belt pack stands out because it includes a clear window and new-style inflator that indicates, at a glance, if the unit is properly armed.

Inflatables intended for offshore use, where seas tend to be choppier, offer a minimum of 32 pounds of buoyancy to lift a person higher above the waves. Prices start around $200 for auto-inflation; a few manual-inflation models are available for less. Offshore vests can also include integrated safely harnesses, and inflator mechanisms vary more widely on these models.

Float-Tech’s 3-in-1 Inflatable Life Jacket combines foul weather gear with an inflatable PFD, and is great for when the seas kick up. The two, joined by a zipper, can be used independently. The sleeves zip off as well, allowing three different levels of exposure to match Mother Nature’s proportions of sun, spray and breeze. It retails for around $330 and carries Type V approval. It provides 32 pounds of buoyancy and includes a window for quick inflator inspection.

Yoke-style inflatables, intended for inshore or inland boating, are compact and comfortable, although most carry only 22 pounds of buoyancy. Most choices start under $100 for manual activation or about $20 more for auto-inflation. Price is largely determined by features, the most notable being a single-point indicator of an armed unit versus a two- or three-point check. Other considerations include whether the inflator can be accessed without unpacking the unit, and the ease of repacking the unit itself.

One notably different inshore PFD is SOSpenders’ Sport Series 1211. The two sides of the yoke are sewn together at the bottom, which eliminates hardware to reduce weight and bulk. This Type V PFD also uses a slender, older-style inflator, again keeping the bulk of this vest to an absolute minimum (a key attribute for many consumers).

If in-water performance is key, Mustang’s LIFT vest is a clear choice. Fitting flatter than yoke-style units by extending under the arms and around the back, this Type V PFD boasts an industry-leading 40 pounds of buoyancy. The under-arm and neck sections also inflate, lifting a person several inches above the water.
To determine which inflatable works best for you, try a few while shopping in the marine store and choose the one you’ll wear most often, because USCG statistics clearly show that the best PFD is the one you have on.