Life jacket question

M

mattrocket

Flat water follies
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Picking up my new to me superjet Tuesday. I need to find a life jacket, and I really like the low profile Jet Pilot vests. Am I gonna catch flak from the po po on the lake since their not USCG approved?
 
Matt_E

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
You can wear them - they're clearly labeled as "Competition only". Not every water activity requires a CG approved vest.

Why do they sell 190mph motorcycles?
 
K

Kennay

Squarenose for the _____
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
mattrocket said:
So tell the lake cops Im racing myself? :rolleyes:
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Wakeboard competition vest dude.... They aren't meant for crap with a motor.


If a wakeboarder falls off during a comp, there are a crap load of people watching... whether he is knocked out or not, he isn't going to sink. He is going to be rescued. Now, go put that vest on, hit your head one good time, and see how well it floats you face down.
 
M

mattrocket

Flat water follies
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Kennay said:
Wakeboard competition vest dude.... They aren't meant for crap with a motor.


If a wakeboarder falls off during a comp, there are a crap load of people watching... whether he is knocked out or not, he isn't going to sink. He is going to be rescued. Now, go put that vest on, hit your head one good time, and see how well it floats you face down.
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Ah, I feel ya. So can you recommend a good USCG vest?
 
K

KaosFreestyle

White on White
Location
Mequon, WI
I havent checked into the regulations lately but I believe I can use a non USCG jacket while wakeboarding/skiing. I have always used a Jetpilot nonapproved one for that purpose. Just so much nicer because they are thinner and give you more movement. Similar reason as to why I dont need a life vest when barefooting even though my suit isnt USCG approved for flotation. It only do so when my father is behind the wheel, I wouldnt trust anyone else if something were to actually go wrong.


But I also do have a USCG approved for my jetski. Its a Slippery Switch Molded vest and so far I love it. 1st season with it.
 
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Matt_E

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
The proper answer is "Check your state laws and local ordinances".

In WA, even wakeboarding/skiing needs USCG approved vests.
 
The Penguin

The Penguin

triple secret probation
Location
down by the river
Kennay said:
Wakeboard competition vest dude.... They aren't meant for crap with a motor.


If a wakeboarder falls off during a comp, there are a crap load of people watching... whether he is knocked out or not, he isn't going to sink. He is going to be rescued. Now, go put that vest on, hit your head one good time, and see how well it floats you face down.
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I'm pretty sure that the vests most of us wear do not provide "face up flotation"
 
Matt_E

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
mattrocket said:
Word. Im no nautical expert but Im pretty sure the USCG rating is for the ocean primarily. Ive never seen the big orange choppers at any lake in Arizona.
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The requirements for USCG approved vests is not tied to the presence of the coast guard.
Typically, state and local laws will call out the vest requirements. I'd check on those.
I am no expert, but I don't believe I have heard of a state that does not require the USCG rating.
That said, I have never had my vest checked.
 
K

Kennay

Squarenose for the _____
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
The Penguin said:
I'm pretty sure that the vests most of us wear do not provide "face up flotation"
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It isn't going to keep your head out of the water, but it will float you much better. Perhaps my choice of words wasn't right for the situation.

Try one out and you will see what I mean... it's one step above sinking, and that is about it. Did you get that waterbox?
 
K

Kennay

Squarenose for the _____
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
I LOVE my Heluim Swat CGA vest.. it's thick with padding for flotation and cushion in case you hit something, but the range of motion is still excellent.
 
A

aramis

Location
Rochester, NY
It comes down to some personal preferences and the type of riding you'll be doing, but I've always liked my O'Neill Reactor vest, see it here

I think pretty much any Type III neoprene waterski vest would be what you are looking for...O'Neill, Slippery, Jet Pilot, Body Glove, Helium, Quicksilver, etc would be some brands to check out.

I was stopped once on the water, and told "that vest is not CG approved". I hopped on the swim platform, took it off, and showed the po po the markings. He said to have a nice day... :)
 
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M

mattrocket

Flat water follies
Location
Phoenix, AZ
aramis said:
It comes down to some personal preferences and the type of riding you'll be doing, but I've always liked my O'Neill Reactor vest, see it here

I think pretty much any Type III neoprene waterski vest would be what you are looking for...O'Neill, Slippery, Jet Pilot, Body Glove, Helium, Quicksilver, etc would be some brands to check out.

I was stopped once on the water, and told "that vest is not CG approved". I hopped on the swim platform, took it off, and showed the po po the markings. He said to have a nice day... :)
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What part of Rochester do you live in? I was born and raised there. Fairport actually. Where do you ride? Ontario, Canandaigua?
 
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