Other Questions about wake comp vests. Not USCG

SmittySX

SmittySX

Location
Cleveland, Ohio
I purchased a new wake boarding comp vest thinking it would be Coast Guard approved and its not... (jetpilot a10) Do they not float as well? Im willing to take the risk wearing it if it is just as safe as other vests. I cant seem to find a nice, slim fitting vest that is USCG approved. Anyone know of any vests that are approved and similar to the jet pilot a10 or a12?
 
yamanube

yamanube

This Is The Way
Staff member
Location
Mandalor
Somebody correct me if I am wrong but I believe USCG vests are designed to not only float you but to float you face up. While some non CG approved vests might float you they are not required to so it is up to you to decide how safe you want to be and how well that certain vest works.

Burn Industries has some really cool vests and offer a couple USCG vest.
The Slippery Switch vest is a great vest too.
 
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sxipro02

sxipro02

Location
Arnold MO.
Im with yamanube, uscg typically means it will float you face up if your unable to swim.
I have been using a A-10 and loved it but when it came time to get a new one this year I went with a Burn nitro jacket since it is uscg approved, I like it. Its about twice as thick as the A-10 but its still very slim compared to the normal bulky jackets and has no limits on movement. It does float me highier in the water and has better impact protection. Its a no brainer to me, keeps the fun police from giving me a extra ticket too
 
hugh jair

hugh jair

Location
Revelstoke,B.C.
the other major difference is in the bouyancy level example uscg vest is 15 pounds of floatation whereas my comp vest is 11 pounds.

thats the main one, the face up thing is also involved but not the sole factor..the flotation rating is the biggest one..and as mentioned in another post they do not consider your wetsuit as a floatation item either.

this means when i have my wetsuit and comp vest i am well above the uscg floatation whilst still technically being illegal..bureaucracy at its finest if you ask me.

the biggest thing is float face up when passed out cold..if you dont have that the rest becomes how much do you want to float or have freedom of movement.
 
SmittySX

SmittySX

Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Last time i got pulled over they asked to see my life jacket.. They are getting super strict in these parts. Im leaning towards the burn nitro.

Zach, have you gotten popped yet for a non USCG vest yet?
 
mthomps

mthomps

Location
Cleveland
It's hot at the 'port right now matt. Saw 2 couches and 2 boats get pulled over for safety check when Zach made a trip east just last week. . They were just sitting and waiting for boats to come out of the harbor and river. They didn't mess with either of us. Maybe they have respect for the stand ups but probably just lucky. They were at the damn launch ramp docked while I was launching actually. I angled my ski to show the fire extinguisher while I over emphasized the motion to untangle my lanyard from the bars to my wrist. I also took my time wrapping my tow rope around my waist. lol

I can't even tell I have my USCG jet pilot on...

https://store.jetpilot.com/jetpilot/product/?catID=28&prodID=565
 
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