question about competition vests...help! buying one today

Hypnotoad · Criminal Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 61 City: Wilmington

I ride behind a Jet ski so both rider and driver need a life vest. I have two normal ones but only one fits me and most other people I ride with. The other one is too big, so Ive been tryin to get a new one and a surf shop around here has 50 percent off on their competition vests and i like the way they look and the price is right.

I noticed they say that they are not life vests and other things about not being proper flotation devices? Is this true? do they work as well as a class 3 device? Do you think they should really only be worn during competitions or by experineced riders (i am not) or do they float well enough...bc i would really appreciate the extra mobility I think

thanks

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Hypnotoad, they do assist with floatation but do not float you anywhere near what a normal USCG approved vest will do.

Many prefer them as they are thinner and lighter. I don't. Many new USCG approved vests (aka JP cell block or Murray, O'Neill Law, etc.) are very flexible and light and I really don't think the compromise is as big as it used to be.

Just my $0.02

jpminter · Posted: Aug 14, 2006 9:18 am Post subject:

I'm not sure about the laws down there in NC but up here in VA you must be wearing a coast guard approved vest whenever you are on a jet ski or are being pulled by one. Not all of these "competition" vests are going to be CGA. If a vest is CGA then it will definitely float you just fine.