How do you size a life jacket?

Get the right size: For adults, your chest size—not your weight—will determine what size PFD you need. (For children, their weight will determine the size.) To get your chest size, measure the circumference of your chest at its broadest point.

How do you select the right size fit a life jacket?

If it's too big, the life jacket will ride up around your face. If it's too small, it will not be able to keep your body afloat. The life jacket should be snug but allow you to move freely. Make sure there is no excess room above the arm openings and that the jacket does not ride up over your chin or face.

What does 90 lbs mean on a life jacket?

ADULT >90 LBS. Chest size is used on ADULT devices to further define the fit. Chest sizes are not used on all others.

Do Life jackets come in sizes?

Life jackets are not like an apron, where one size fits all. Fortunately, they come in many sizes. Do determine the correct size for you, measure around the thickest part of your chest and match it to the vests measurement specifications.

Are life jackets one size fits all?

LIFE VEST SIZING AND FITTING

A life vest should fit comfortably and be worn for its specific use. Life vests come in adult, youth, child and infant sizes. Keep these factors in mind when making your selection: Choose a life vest based on chest size for adults and weight for children.

Life Jacket 101: How to Properly Size and Fit a Life Jacket

What is life jacket sizing for adults based on?

Choosing the Right Life Jacket

Adult sizing is based on chest size and body weight. Check that all of the closures (zippers, buckles and clips) can be properly secured. Choose a life jacket that suits the type of activities you plan on doing.

Is it better to have a life jacket too big or too small?

According to the Coast Guard, if a life jacket is too big, it won't keep your head above the water. And if it's too small, it might not have the buoyancy required to keep your body afloat. Remember, a life jacket sized for an adult will not work for a child.

What if life jacket is too big?

One of the biggest problems with lifejackets when they are too big is that they don't hold the head out of the water. A lifejacket that is too large for the wearer will slide up in the water and rest somewhere around the wearer's ears.

What is the difference between a life jacket and a life vest?

The terms PFD, lifejacket, life vest, life preserver, buoyancy vest and buoyancy aid are used interchangeably for the same item, all with the same key purpose; to prevent persons drowning. A PFD is a garment designed to keep a conscious person afloat and to assist with buoyancy in the water.

What weight life jacket do I need?

The higher the number, the more buoyancy offered. To support a 1Kg weight you need a force of 9.8 Newtons. 1 Newton is equal to 0.225lb. A 150N adult lifejacket will therefore support someone with an in water weight of 15.3Kg or 33.7lbs.

How many pounds of flotation do I need?

Most adults in a bathing suit need seven to 12 pounds of extra flotation to keep their head out of the water. The US Coast Guard specifies a minimum of 15-½ pounds flotation in an adult PFD. If you're a swimmer and comfortable in the water, a jacket with 16-18 pounds of design flotation should be fine for you.

What does Level 70 buoyancy mean?

Level 70 buoyancy aids are intended for use by those who have a means of rescue close at hand, or who are near to bank or shore. These devices have minimal bulk, but cannot be expected to keep the user safe for a long period of time in disturbed water.

Does life jacket have to be tight?

It should fit snugly, with all the buckles, zippers and snaps done up, but still allow room to breathe and move around freely. Try walking and sitting in it too. Your PFD is too big if you can pull it over your ears, and too small if you cannot fasten all buckles and straps.

How do I know if my life vest is too big?

MOST IMPORTANT Life Jacket Fitting Guide: If you can put more than 3 finger widths in the gap between your shoulders and the shoulder area of the life vest, your life vest is too big. That vest will not keep your head above water: NEVER have a huge gap in the shoulders. Best test is in a swimming pool.

How should you size a life jacket for a child?

Fitting children follows the same general rule as fitting adults: a PFD should fit securely without being too tight. The term the Coast Guard uses is “comfortably snug”. If you can't make the life jacket fit snugly, then it's too big. If you can't put it on your child and fasten it comfortably, then it's too small.

What is the difference between Type 2 and Type 3 life jackets?

A Type II PFD is an approved device designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face downward position to a vertical or slightly backward position, and to have more than 15.5 pounds of buoyancy. A Type III PFD is an approved device designed to have more than 15.5 pounds of buoyancy.

Do life jackets expire?

All of the care that you give to your PFD will prolong its use. There is no expiry date for a personal floatation device and/or lifejacket, but it becomes void if it has been repaired or altered; therefore, it is no longer usable and must be replaced and discarded for recycling.

What happens when life jacket is too small?

Proper fit is key to a life jacket performing as designed. If it's too small, you won't stay afloat; if too large, it will ride up over your face or otherwise reposition. It should be snug, like a glove, yet flexible enough to go through multiple motions for your particular water activity.

Why does my life jacket ride up?

If there is excess room above the openings and the life jacket rides up over a boater's chin or face, it does NOT fit properly. A snug fit in these areas signals a properly fitting life jacket.

What size vest should I get?

GENERAL FIT INFORMATION

Generally speaking, you should order 1-2” larger than your “upper chest” measurement, depending on your "Fit Preference". If your stomach measures larger than your waist, you will need to order 1” larger than that measurement in order for the vest/jacket to comfortably close.

What does 150N mean on lifejacket?

A 150N PFD provides a minimum of 15kg of buoyancy per lifejacket. This is a product that is most commonly found for general use around the coast and offshore waters.

How should a life jacket fit in the water?

Your life jacket should fit snugly without being too tight. The term the Coast Guard uses is “comfortably snug”. If you can't make your life jacket fit snugly, then it's too big. If you can't comfortably put it on and fasten it, it's too small.

Which life jacket is appropriate for adults only?

Type III – Inherently buoyant recommended uses and features:

Supervised activities, such as sailing regattas, dinghy races, water skiing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and during personal watercraft operation. Minimum Buoyancy: 15.5 lbs. for adult size.