About sup life jackets

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.

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 paddleboard life jacket 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.

Whether you’re paddling or accomplishing any other athletics to the drinking water, a life jacket is among The key pieces of basic safety products. Even when you’re an exquisite swimmer, your life jacket or buoyancy assist for SUP gives you an extra margin of security.

The vest incorporates a pullover entry in order to put it on and take away it from the human body in only a few seconds. As most higher-stop PFDs, this one is built with oodles of capabilities which include PE foam inserts, PVC-cost-free Gaia, strong Nylon, and plenty of far more that include to the overall convenience and layout on the jacket.

Examine the maker’s Guidance on topics for example suitable use, deflating the inflatable following use, rearming and repacking, and certain maintenance, cleansing and

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Even so, for those who’re a newbie and you also don’t understand how to decide on the best paddleboard life jackets or Exactly what are the best out there options for you, then We now have bought you protected right here.

You'll be able to keep on to use your life jacket assuming that it truly is in great condition and suitable for the activity.

It's a large (not waterproof) front pocket and plenty of space inside the arms for an array of motion. The front is slightly cumbersome, but This can be just the development in the entrance panels. It’s appropriate for SUP but will also many different paddle sports While using the mesh back again.

The most up-to-date technology of self-triggering inflation devices responds to h2o pressure when submerged and incorporates an actuator generally known as a 'hydrostatic launch'. All computerized life-jackets might be fired manually if required. Regardless of whether manually or quickly brought on, a pin punctures the cartridge/canister as well as the CO2 gas escapes into the sealed air chamber.[13]

Besides currently being resilient, this life jacket delivers amazing comfort and ease and safety features. Thus, as a consequence of its best buoyancy support, it's the choice of the planet’s best kayakers and paddlers.

The MTI Cascade is a super comfortable life jacket that's not only good for SUP but additionally just about almost every other water pursuits where you need a PFD.

The Ninja is usually a aspect entry PFD with 6 adjustment factors so you can find a custom made fit. Not like other PFDs, the Ninja has "strap garages" where you can retail store the excess length of strap webbing, after you've tightened it down to your best fit.

While this PFD is seems fantastic, It is really developed extra for function than for style. The four hundred denier nylon on the skin is for durability and toughness. Whilst the inside with the vest is roofed in a delicate and stretchy material for next-to-skin convenience.

This life jacket doesn’t have zipper pockets and also a handwarmer pouch. So, these are definitely the main disadvantages of the life jacket. Usually, it could have been a great life jacket for those with slender torsos.