If you’ve been to the store lately to purchase a life jacket or have borrowed a life jacket from one of our 1,000+ nationwide life jacket loaner stations, you may have noticed a change in how the inside of the life jackets look. This is because a new labeling system has been implemented and we thought we’d answer some questions we’ve seen boaters like you ask related to this.

Why did the life jacket label need to change?
The new labels have harmonized the standards for use in the U.S., Canada and Europe. This means that the new labels have taken the requirements for many countries and combined them into a simple way of understanding how the life jackets are approved for use so that the same life jacket can be used when boating in multiple countries.

Are the new life jackets still approved by the U.S. Coast Guard?
Yes, they are still approved, but the location of this information has been moved to a new area on the life jacket label. This new section also shows that it meets the requirements of Transport Canada. (Graphic)

What is different about the new life jacket labels?
The new life jacket labels feature less wording and more icons or pictures to explain their use. In addition, the 5 “types” of life jackets (Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV, and Type V) are no longer used and instead there are just 2 categories – wearable or throwable. Wearable life jackets come in sizes as they did before, but the chest size and user weight are now shown in both Metric measurements (centimeters or kilograms) and Imperial measurements (inches and pounds). The wearable life jackets are also divided into 5 different numerical buoyancy categories: 50, 70, 100, 150 and 275 Newtons. A Newton is unit of measurement being used for buoyancy with the higher numbers providing the most flotation.

How do I read the new life jacket labels?
The Newton numerical graphic shows the level of flotation with the higher numbers providing the most flotation for high waves or offshore activity where rescuers would take more time to get to you. The lower Newton numbers offer the wearer more movement and comfort and should be used in calm waters or near shore activities where a rescue can take place quickly. (Add graphic)

The turning graphics feature a circular arrow that indicates it will turn most wearers face-up. The slash through the graphic indicates the life jacket doesn’t have this feature.

There are 4 graphics indicating the type of water activity that is approved or not approved for the life jacket to be worn while doing: personal watercraft, towed water sports, tubing or whitewater paddling.

The last graphics explain how to wash and care for the life jackets. These labels are found in clothing as well.

Are the life jackets still classified by size?

Yes, there is still an infant, child, youth, adult and adult XL size for life jackets although these words are now printed in English as well as French and Spanish. 

Can I still use life jackets that have the old labels?
Yes. As long as these life jackets meet the requirements to be “in serviceable condition” according to the U.S. Coast Guard. This means that the straps, zippers and buckles all work and there are no rips or tears in the fabric. For more details on this topic, check out our other blog post on How to Inspect Your Life Jacket.

Are there any other changes to know about regarding life jackets?
The U.S. Coast Guard has not changed the carriage requirements for life jackets in that every boat must have a properly fitting life jacket for each person on board with children under 13 years of age required to wear a life jacket at all times while the boat is underway. The laws requiring when someone should wear a life jacket in terms of the age of the boater, the type of boat being used, or the need to wear a life jacket during specific cold weather months on state waters varies from state to state and you can find the most up-to-date state boating law information on the NASBLA website.

Sources:

https://uscgboating.org/multimedia/PFDlabelsgraphics.php

https://wow.uscgaux.info/Uploads_wowII/P-DEPT/New_Life_Jacket_Labeling_System__3_.pdf

https://safeboatingcampaign.com/news/new-life-jacket-labels/

https://www.usps.org/images/Exec/Safety/Life_Jackets/2020-05-28_New_Life_Jacket_Labels_and_Icons.pdf

For more information on the Sea Tow Foundation Life Jackets go to www.boatingsafety.com/page/life-jacket-loaner-program