Safety Vest Varieties And Qualifications

Any boater is required to have a safety vests on board their boats. There should be one for every passenger riding and it needs to be worn while the boat is in motion. Boating is fun and adventurous but can turn deadly in a matter of seconds without the right precautions taken ahead of time.

There are four categories, class two and three, public and economy vests. Each category has its own use and each has its own description. They are for every ones protection for certain zones of work.

Class two safety t-shirt is for high traffic areas, dangerous weather conditions and complex backgrounds. Usually involving law enforcement, emergency workers, and construction and utility personnel. They come in three fluorescent colors, yellow, orange and lime. These are worn over top of uniforms and shirts. There are several styles for an employee to wear. They include adjustable, illuminated, mesh and flame retardant. A company name is imprinted on the vests.

Individuals working in dark locations, high volumes of traffic and bad weather wear a class three. These particular ones fit like shirts and come in half, full or short sleeves. It creates and draws more attention to workers providing him or her more protection while at work. Colors available are in fluorescent and include orange, lime and yellow. Company names can also be placed on this type. The varieties include mesh, sweatshirt, rubber, non mesh and overcoats.

Type one is an offshore life jacket and is for use in rough or remote water when rescue could be hours away. Great for floating but not for people unconscious because it will flip him or her over. Type two is a near shore used in calm water and faster rescues. It lacks the ability to turn unconscious individuals face up. The third type, a flotation aid used in calm water and rescues that do not take a long period. This device will turn an individual face up in rougher water, so do not use in that type situation. Floatation aids come in long sleeved jackets.

Colors and reflective material vary. Typical colors include orange, green or yellow. Reflective material are not used during daylight hours but instead used at night. Nighttime workers have LED lights sewn into his or her vests. This adds protection to individuals so they do not become a victim to traffic accidents.

An individual must check his or her state laws pertaining to jackets and rules of the water they plan on boating. All equipment must be legal and approved by coast guard regulations. Each life jacket must be for the weight of the individual wearing it and one throw able must be on board at all times.

Boats nineteen feet long that carry children twelve and under must have them wear a United States Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times. Meaning they cannot take it off even when the boat is not in motion. Life jackets are marked with that information. A safety vest saves lives and must be available at all times and in good working order, meaning in exceptional serviceable condition. If not, purchase new ones or orange t-shirt. Life vests must be accessible at all times in case of emergencies.