Why You Need One
The U.S. Coast Guard requires boaters to carry life vests. From there, federal and state laws can vary. For example, states have different rules about how old a child must be to wear them, or have mandatory requirements based on the length of the boat. Personal watercraft riders and water skiers are almost always required to wear them. Check your state waterways website for details. Beyond needing a life vest so you don't get a ticket from a water cop, boaters need PFDs for the all-important safety factor. Nine out of 10 drowning deaths happen in inland waters, most within a few feet of safety and involving boats 20 feet long. Most drowning victims had a life vest available but chose not to wear it. That's why boaters so often see the slogan "It only works if you wear it," among the myriad of other boating safety messages.

What You Need To Know
Think about "wearability" when buying life vests for family members and guests. Boaters typically complain that life vests are bulky, hot and uncomfortable, so plan to buy PFDs you'll actually use. Make sure the vests are U.S. Coast Guard-approved and labeled as such.

 Decide what type of PFD you'll need according to the type of boating you are doing: Type I PFDs are classified as offshore life jackets. Type II PFDs are considered near-shore buoyant vests. Type III are flotation aids. Type V are called "wearable special use devices." Most boaters buy Type II vests for everyday boating.

For comfort, consider buying Coast Guard-approved inflatable PFDs. Some look like suspenders; others resemble fanny packs. Inflatable PFDs have a chamber that's inflated by a carbon dioxide mechanism when buoyancy is needed. Manual and automatic options are available, which generally cost more, but are far less bulky.

The main rule of thumb: Get correctly sized vests for everyone aboard, particularly children. Life vests are classified by the wearer's weight, and specifications are listed on the vest's label. Children's vests have phrases such as "less than 30 pounds" or "50 to 90 pounds." Children under 16 years of age should not use inflatable PFDs.

Check out the minimum buoyancy of each vest. Most adults need only an extra 7 to 12 pounds of buoyancy to keep their heads above water, giving them the extra "lift" until help comes. Keep in mind that how much extra lift you need is determined by body weight and fat, lung size, clothing and water conditions (rough or calm).

The Final Word
Remember that today's life vests offer comfort, style and flexibility in a range of models, sizes and colors. You can find life vests tailor made for specific activities, such as kayaking, watersports, fishing, hunting, sailing and recreational boating. Choose your life vest based on your planned activity and anticipated water conditions. Remember to unwrap and ready the vests once you get them home. This sounds simple, but sometimes boaters just stow vests aboard without clipping tags, removing plastic, undoing ties and unclasping buckles. PFDs need to be ready to wear when you need them - that's also something the law requires. When not using them, don't keep life vests stowed aboard full time. Remove and reload them in order to keep them in usable condition.

Information provided by U.S. Coast Guard, Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Boat/U.S. Foundation.