Life Jacket ?

**Sublime** · 06-28-2005, 10:06 PM

Anyone know the diffrence of USCG approved and non-approved vests? A lot of the wakeboard vests are non-apporved and the ones that are seem to run a little pricier. I'm just doing tubing and wakeboarding style stuff.

Besides the obvious?

Oh yeah this is the one

**weibo** · 06-30-2005, 07:12 AM

Usually it comes down to amount of floatation, the non-approved don't always have as much, and colour, yes the coast gaurd only approves hi-vis (or they used to). This probably isn't the difinitive answer you are looking for but it's a start. other option is to google the USCG regs.

**PNWbrit** · 06-30-2005, 09:12 AM

http://www.boatingsafety.com/boats/cgpfds.htm

**assgasorgrass** · 06-30-2005, 11:20 AM

My ski vest is non-approved (coast guard that is). It floats me (200 lbs). I make sure that there is an extra vest on board in case the boat gets checked, i.e. 4 persons=4 approved vests plus my non-approved. One of the main differences is how would you float if unconscious? The CG approved are suppose to float you so your face is out of the water if unconscious.

**PacRimRider1** · 06-30-2005, 03:43 PM

A type 5 pfd, meaning either one with a flappy pillow behind your head (rescue specific pfds are also considered type 5) way built with the assumption that the pillow would float your head in case of loss of consciousness. They don't really work that well. Most type 5 and type 3 pfds (3's being vests without the pillow) are made to flip you onto your back again if your are unconscious. This doesn't work very well either as it turns out. Adult size pfd's must provide 15.5 pounds of floatation; youre average yeilding about 17. As an average adult (body fat percentage, not total weight) weighs between 8 and 12 pounds under water, the floatation provided by a USGC approved pfd is ample. Other than that, the USCG requires pfds to be made with materials of certain tensile strengths, and reenforced shoulder straps in case the victim needs to be rescued. That being said, a inflatable tube is not considered a boat (unless you have two tied together) and therefore does not require a pfd. And in my opinion, if you are going down a river where you think you might need a pfd, you probably don't want to be in an innertube.

**Shredhead** · 07-01-2005, 09:12 AM

The USCG vest are a little more bulky, but a little safer if you get knocked unconciouse. Some states require the rider have one on and some are just have one in the boat. I would get a USCG approved one just in case you ever ride in a state that requires them on. I always wear my USCG barefoot suit just for the protection.

**scoober** · 07-01-2005, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by PacRimRider1

That being said, a inflatable tube is not considered a boat (unless you have two tied together) and therefore does not require a pfd. And in my opinion, if you are going down a river where you think you might need a pfd, you probably don't want to be in an innertube.

He's talking about being towed in a tube, which falls under the same pfd rules as skiing or wakeboarding.

It all really just depends on what Michigan state PFD rules are. I haven't really kept up with them since I left, but I would assume since it is a pretty big watersports state that they are pretty strict. In that case you would probably need to be wearing USCG approved even while you are underway skiing/tubing/wakeboarding. Definitely need one if you are riding a PWC. And like weibo said, if it is non USCG approved that just means that the boat has to carry one more approved PFD to account for you.

The non-USCG vests really are only applicable for competition situations.

**warthog** · 07-01-2005, 10:07 PM

Having received more tickets in my boat than in my car, I would tell you to get the USCG approved one. It just saves you from a stupid ticket. Plus, it is one less USCG flotation device you need to carry on board. I use this:
O'Neill Throttle

This thing is bulletproof. It protects your ribs, chest, and kidneys, and even has a fair amount of lumbar support- which is very needed for full day wakeboard sessions. I need it when I am wakeskating- you never know where that board is going to end up when you fall. As for tubing, I have seen some of the worst wrecks in my life, resulting from a tube ride. Go for it, spend the extra $. You will have it a long time.