The smart Trick of personal flotation device That No One is Discussing

Paddle boarding is now one of the most popular water sports. It's easy to learn, suitable for all ages and a lot of fun. It's a great way to relax and just have fun. But it has certain safety risks that we should be aware of. To avoid any potential danger, it's recommended that every paddler should wear a personal flotation device whenever they are out on the water.

There are various kinds of personal flotation devices and not all of them are suitable for paddle boarding. It's important to find a suitable SUP life jacket for yourself.

And if you are paddling alone, a SUP life vest is not enough to keep you safe, there are other safety tips for paddling alone you should know.

sup life jacket

A paddleboard life jacket is necessary for paddleboarding



In the US, it's mandatory to have a life jacket with you when you are out on the water. And if you are 12 years old or younger, you have to wear one when out on the water since paddle boards have been classified by the USCG(United States Coast Guard) as a vessel. You'll also need a whistle or other sound making device with you whenever you get out on the water. If you paddle at night, you'll also need to have lights as well. But there are exception, for example, if you paddle in a surf zone or swimming area, then you don't have to have or wear a SUP life vest.

We recommend that one should always wear a suitable inflatable SUP life jacket for safety reasons. And if you are paddle boarding with your kids and they are under 12 years old, make sure they wear a suitable sup life vest when on the water.

Types of PFDs



Generally, there are 5 types of PFD(personal flotation device) and not all of them can be used as SUP life jackets.

Type 1 - The first type of PFDs usually have a minimum of 22 lbs buoyancy and can keep your face up in the water. You can use them offshore. But they are kind of bulky and not very comfortable to wear. But being thick also means it can provide enough amount of buoyancy to keep you safe when you fall in.

Type 2 - This type of life jacket can also keep your head above the water but are not as good at it as the first type of PFD we introduced. They have a lower 15.5 lbs of buoyancy and are supposed to be used in calm water near the shore and not for when the wearer will be stranded in the water for long periods of time. They usually have several plastic side-release buckles to secure the vest on your body.

Type 3 - This type of PFD are also not suitable for where long wait times for rescue are to be expected. They're best for calm and near-shore water sports and able to keep you upright or vertical in the water. But they can't keep your face up in the water like the first two types of PFDs. You'll have to place yourself in a face-up position. They can provide a minimum of 15 lbs buoyancy and are very widely used for recreational water sports like jet skiing, water skiing, paddle board fishing, and wakeboarding.

Type 4 - These are throwable buoyancy aid and they are not approved by the USCG for use by paddlers. They are designed to be thrown to someone who falls into the water by accident and is still conscious, and they are not meant to be worn. They are basically just a square flotation cushion or round throwable floaty.

Type 5 - These are special use life vests which are often comnbined into flotation coats, whitewater rafting vests, even sailboard harnesses. They shouldn't be used outside of their intended purpose.

Choose the right size SUP jacket



After choosing a suitable SUP life jacket for your SUP activity, there are a few things to check. Make sure it's in good condition, and has no holes or tears, and fits you nicely. If you wear a SUP jacket that's too large, it can slip off easily. If it's too small, it might not be able to provide sufficient buoyancy to keep you afloat. A standard SUP life jacket should have the manufacturer's labeling with details of the size and weight the jacket is intended to fit.




The panel matches common bodies and it has two pockets to the entrance For additional obtainable storage. The outside is usually a 200 denier nylon, a highly tear-resistant material, and the design is each Sort III and sort V accepted.

Life jackets that use inflatable systems are great and comfortable. A lot of inflate instantly when immersed in water.

Other storage choices include lash strips over personal flotation device the back to connect accessories and capabilities similar to a carabiner hook for a safety whistle or simply a knife. An awesome possibility can be a vest that has a bladder pocket across the back again so you usually have fresh new drinking water when you need it.

This list of SUP life vests and personal flotation devices offer you reliable support, holding you safe for the duration of your watery adventures. Regardless of whether it’s your first trip over a SUP board or else you’re a seasoned pro, these life vests are a must-have. Right here’s our record in no individual purchase.

Arise Paddleboards are ​a great deal of entertaining, but you might want to make sure to be Risk-free within the water.  Are you aware there are actually quite a few polices on SUPs?

The O’Brien life jacket is supplied with every one of the necessities you will have to stay upright from the drinking water. The jacket has two adjustable straps which will grant you excess convenience and convenience.

The mesh-again design presents improved air flow in order to keep away from obtaining your again in sweat. Reasons NOT to obtain:

The funds is most likely on the intellect, but there’s good news. You will discover SUP life vests in a number of selling price ranges. There are actually higher-finish vets with a great deal of bells and whistles, but you can also get An inexpensive vest that provides required defense with Variety III difference.

Leave a remark beneath if you have already got a life jacket and we is going to be satisfied to assist you with nearly anything!

This vest is a PVC free material, and Astral enterprise takes advantage of as quite a few recycled materials as you possibly can to ensure that their footprint is compact. Self-locking zippers and the webbing be certain a lengthy-Long lasting life jacket.

Reduced Profile �?life jackets even have normal Type III flotation. Although the flotation is concentrated in smaller sized spots to supply additional movement to paddlers.

The design of this life jacket is stretchable flex-again as it can certainly suit different physique types. Moreover, Even when you’re working with this life jacket in warm climate, you will not working experience any air flow troubles as a result of its reduced-profile design.

So, In case you have this equipment and observe these rules you should be legal below USCG regulations. State and local agencies might have further policies or even more restrictive variations with the federal kinds.

The Stearns Adult Watersport Traditional Collection Vest is out there in common measurement and it's got 4 adjustable straps which can healthy Practically all people today. Having said that, when you’re a tall or huge person, you'll want to hunt for some other available choices simply because this one may get a little congested to suit your needs.

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