Life Jackets
19 November 2025 · 50 min · 657 views
What this video covers
Tom Tersey and Frank Bummer of the Maryland School of Sailing cover the 2023 U.S. Coast Guard reclassification of personal flotation devices, which retired the old five-type system and replaced it with new type definitions and performance levels (50, 70, 100, 150, and 275 Newtons) plus four construction categories: inherent, inflatable, hybrid, and special use.4:07 Pure inflatables are now illegal for children; only hybrids qualify.6:35 Existing approved PFDs remain legal until they wear out, but replacements must meet the new standards — used or consignment units no longer comply.8:13 Bummer describes switching from a heavily modified West Marine harness PFD to a Mustang Atlas, purchased under $400 at West Marine, which includes a built-in harness loop, spray hood, and internal strobe.14:21 The discussion covers hydrostatic versus water-activated inflation triggers, the importance of test-inflating a new PFD in a pool and keeping a recharge kit aboard, crotch straps to prevent slipping out when unconscious, and PLB versus AIS SART for man-overboard detection.20:27 On tethers, both instructors favor simple sewn-loop-and-carabiner setups over expensive elastic shock-cord tethers, discuss jack line placement trade-offs (centerline versus side deck), dual-leg tether use, and the case for carrying a hook knife or multi-tool to cut free if needed.28:41
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