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Earlier this year, a tragedy took place on Lake Jocassee, a beautiful mountain lake a short drive from where we work. As it turns out, the young man who drowned might still be alive had he been given a life jacket that properly fit him.<\/p>\n
This got us thinking. How many people\u2014even regular boaters\u2014know how to ensure that the life jacket they put on themselves, a family member or a friend is properly fitted to ensure it will work when it matters?<\/p>\n
We hope this blog post will help more people learn how to properly fit a life jacket.<\/p>\n
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A life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device) is made according to a person’s size and weight. There are also men’s and women’s life jackets (yes, we’re each shaped a bit differently up top) plus specialized life jackets for various sports (wakeboarding, skiing, kayaking, etc). An all-purpose men’s XL life jacket is not going to be a good fit for a 120 lb female wakeboarder.<\/p>\n
While there are a lot of things you can easily buy online to save money and hassle, we do NOT recommend buying a life jacket online the first time. Unless you’re already very familiar with the life jacket brand and how it fits, go to a local store and make sure you and\/or your family tries on the life jackets there.<\/p>\n
Even if a life jacket is properly matched based on the sex, size and sport of the person who will be wearing it, you still want to test it before you buy it or use it out on the water.<\/p>\n
Is it comfortable?<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0If the straps rub against your skin or the jacket just doesn’t fit right, you’re probably not going to be as likely to wear it when you’re out on the water.<\/p>\n
![\"child](\"https:\/\/www.boatcoversdirect.com\/boat-lovers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/baby-life-jacket.jpg\")
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