These particular lifejackets were the Type 1, 160RT model distributed by “The Safeguard Corporation” of Covington, Kentucky. They were manufactured in China and approximately nine years old. The distributor is no longer in business. Over the years, the Coast Guard has distributed a number of other safety alerts related to lifejackets and personal floatation devices (PFDs). The archive of alerts can be accessed here. See PDF page numbers 27, 72, 138, 145, 158 and 165.

As a result of this recent discovery the Coast Guard strongly recommends that vessel owners and operators inspect their Type 1 unicellular plastic foam lifejackets for potential indications of failure or degradation, specifically:

• Compression: The lifejacket may be compressed from many years of stowage.

• Loss of resiliency: The lifejacket is excessively hard, stiff or its foam is brittle. Normally after compressing the lifejacket to about half its initial thickness, the foam should expand to its original dimension in a short period of time.

• Shrinkage: A physical reduction in size may be indicated by “wrinkling” of the coating on vinyl dipped type or by a loose fitting shell on a fabric-covered lifejacket.

• Manufacturer: While the potential for problems applies to all older PFDs, those manufactured by “The Safeguard Corporation” should be closely examined.

This Safety Alert was developed by the Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis in conjunction with the Inspections Division of Coast Guard Sector Key West. Any questions or comments should be sent to send to: HQS-PF-fldr-CG-INV@uscg.mil.

The post Inspecting Your Life Jackets is a Must appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Ahhhh…wakeboard vests. We all wear them; we all love them. Not only can you look like your favorite pro rider while you’re on the water, but you can be safe out there too. While we advise you to stay privy to the laws of the waterway you ride on in terms of picking a competition (comp) wakeboard vest versus USCGA vest, also be sure to choose a vest that keeps you afloat and your head out of the water if something were to go wrong. Every body type is different, so get out there and try a few wakeboard vests on to find out which vest style and size works best for you. Remember, when trying on wakeboard vests, the tighter the better! Any little gaps of air between the vest and your skin will undoubtedly cause the vest to rise up from your shoulders when you’re in the water. Happy hunting for your new wakeboard vest this year, and stay safe!

For more wakeboard vests, check out our page on how to choose a wakeboard vest.

Comp Vests

Billabong Slice

Body Glove Malinoski/Rockstar Comp Wakeboard Vest

CWB Team Vest

Hyperlite Franchise Blue Camo

JetPilot Chris O’Shea Signature Wakeboard Vest

Liquid Force Watson Comp vest

Ronix Parks black/volcano Impact vest

Slingshot Impact Vest

CGA Vests

Billabong Slice CGA vest

CWB Reverb CGA vest

Hyperlite Team CGA vest

JetPilot Shawn Murray CGA vest

Liquid Force Reflex CGA vest

Ronix One Capella CGA vest

The post Best Wakeboard Vests appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

The Basics

_Fit: _Not every person is built the same way, but neither is every vest. In order to select the right vest for your torso, try on a few before you buy. The fit and construction of each vest will vary from brand to brand, so make sure you are happy with the mobility, length, width and size of your vest. Have a friend grab the chest panels and give the vest an upward tug while you have it on. If the vest slides to your ears right away, you should reconsider the size or model — especially since neoprene has a tendency to stretch out after a few uses.

_Flotation: _Be sure to use good judgment when selecting a vest. The difference in flotation from vest to vest can vary dramatically. They range from life jackets that have lots of flotation and are even approved by the Coast Guard to save your life if you are immobilized, all the way to vests with very little flotation designed purely for competition in circumstances where trained medical professionals are standing by in the event of an emergency.

_Entry: _Wake vest entry points and styles vary from model to model, and no one style is superior to another. Front-zip entries are the easiest to get on and off, while pullover-style entries tend to be the most comfortable and flexible while you are riding. Buckles are used to keep vests securely in place while in use. You may find that you favor one style of entry over another while trying on different options.

Not All Vests are Created Equal

Comp Vests: I’ll start out with comp vests here because this group is without regulation. It does not mean that the manufacturer planned for you to sink die while wearing it. Some float better than others, but without an official stamp of approval, you’ll need to know what you’re looking for to get one that fits your needs. When it comes to the law and your safety though, don’t mess around. Be sure to only wear competition vests in settings that they were designed for. That being said, for some competitions, many pro’s prefer the thinnest lightest, most flexible option available, while there may be other circumstances in which you would like your competition vest to have a little more flotation. Some of these vests float better than others.

I have personally taken an extremely hard back edge that rendered me momentarily paralyzed, but fully conscious. I had on a competition vest that had more than your average amount of floatation as far as comp vests go. After I crashed, I was brought to the surface face up and was able to breathe and call out to for help. Luckily, I made it out okay on this one. Had I been wearing a comp vest that had less flotation, I may not have lived to tell you about it. Keep in mind, when selecting a comp vest for the appropriate circumstances, not all vests are created equal.

CGA Vests: Wake vests that are approved by the United States Coast Guard are put to the test in a variety of ways to make sure that you will float properly enough to save your life. They will all have proper flotation and nylon straps with buckles. The manufacturer is left with the responsibility to make the vest comfortable and stylish. Not all CGA vests fit the same way, are as comfortable, or look as cool. Make sure you find a fit and style that works best for you. Once you do, you will be glad you spent the extra effort in finding the perfect fit.

Preferences

This comes down to merely that — What do you like most in a vest?

Flexibility: Flexibility can be determined mainly by two things — materials and paneling. When it comes to the materials, if it is a nylon outer shell or a thick coarse neoprene outer layer, it will be less flexible which will stretch less and render you less mobile. On the other hand, some of those thicker materials are more durable and won’t stretch out too much on you over time. The paneling is also important in determining your mobility. The more segments that your panels are divided into, the easier your vest will crease and fold — increasing flexibility. On the other hand, that increases the manufacturing costs, making those a little pricier —  but worth it.

Pullover: Pullover wake vests tend to be on the thinner, more flexible end of the spectrum. They generally have the most seamless feel compared to anything else out there. It feels like a padded shirt more than a vest. The downside is that they may stretch out a bit over time if you are rough with them and there is a chance that it can ride up on you when you fall — due to it’s extra flexibility.

Buckles: Buckles aren’t only for CGA vests. You may prefer, one, two, or no buckles at all on your vest. The nylon straps don’t stretch, so the more buckles you have, the more secure the vest will fit. Some riders like the feel of an extremely flexible and thin pullover, but don’t want it to ride up when they fall, so adding a buckle can be the most effective solution. The downside is that the buckles may not be as comfortable since they don’t stretch and flex with you when you move.

Zipper: Zippers make entry and exit of the wake vest easier. Some zippers run the length of the vest making entry and exit a breeze, while some zippers go halfway up or down the vest to make a pullover easier to get on. Either way, try a few on and you’ll quickly discover which you like best.

CGA: Everyone needs a good CGA. Be sure to try on each brand and determine what fit characteristics you like best about your CGA vest. Since they tend to fit more securely with the extra flotation and nylon straps, you have less margin for error in the fit when choosing a vest. Be sure that you try one on and get your size and preferences dialed in before you buy so that you are stoked on your purchase.

Aesthetics: We all want to look good out there. We may shamelessly want to coordinate well with our boardshorts, board, boots, rope, handle, and even our boat. The key is admitting to yourself that you want to look good. Remember, we all buy emotionally and justify logically — just be sure keep your priorities straight, whatever they may be.

The post Wake Vest Options: Know the Differences appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Whether it’s time for you to upgrade your vest or if you just want to know how much water your vest soaks up when you ride, pay close attention — you’re going to like this feature. In our May issue, we included a “Vest Test” in our Gear section. In honor of Safe Boating Week, we’ve made this baby digital in case you missed the original. Check it out!

The Test

Along with showing you some of the this year’s best vests, we wanted to bring you some insight on how each of these vests shed or held water. What we decided to do was to weigh the vests dry, submerge them and then weigh them wet. This told us exactly how much water the vests hold after you’re up on the water trying tricks.

Here was our process:

1. Weigh the vest dry.

2. Submerge the vest.  In order to be consistent, we came up with a typical time a vest is submerged from when you fall until you are picked up. We kept each vest under water for 90 seconds.

_3. Weigh the vest wet.  _We also estimated how long it takes from when you get up on your wakeboard to when you try your first trick. We weighed each vest 45 seconds after it was taken out of the tank.

_Soakage: _This measures the increase in overall weight from the dry vest to the soaked vest after 45 seconds of emerging from the water.

Comp Vests

O’Neill | Slasher Comp Vest

Dry: 1.21 pounds

Wet: 2.38 pounds

Water weight: 1.17 pounds

Soakage: 97 percent

Notable features: This competition vest is lightweight, flexible, reversible and anatomically segmented for maximum freedom of movement.

MSRP: $130

Jetpilot | Chris O’Shea Comp Jacket

Dry: 1.67 pounds

Wet: 2.93 pounds

Water weight: 1.26 pounds

Soakage: 75 percent

Notable features: Chris O’Shea’s signature comp vest features a long tapered design with one nylon strap to keep the vest snug and prevent it from rolling up, which is a common issue with vests this flexible.

MSRP: $130

Body Glove | Harley Clifford Signature Vest

Dry: 1.87 pounds

Wet: 2.95 pounds

Water weight: 1.08 pounds

Soakage: 58 percent

Notable features: Harley Clifford’s competition vest is a long, thin vest that is flexible and padded throughout for a nice sturdy construction.

MSRP: $130

Billabong | Raph Non-CGA Signature Vest

Dry: 1.36 pounds

Wet: 1.8 pounds

Water weight: 0.44 pounds

Soakage: 32 percent

Notable features: Raph Derome’s signature comp vest is built with simplicity and mobility in mind. The tacky texture on the vest’s exterior allows it to dry quickly and keeps the neoprene from stretching out too much over time.

MSRP: $115

Hyperlite | Franchise Comp

Dry: 1.32 pounds

Wet: 2.2 pounds

Water weight: 0.88 pounds

Soakage: 67 percent

Notable features: The Franchise Comp vest is simple yet effective. The front-zip entry makes this vest easy to get on and off while keeping a thin and lightweight profile for an easy-to-use, no-hassle competition vest.

MSRP: $135

CWB | Team Pullover

Dry: 1.14 pounds

Wet: 2.13 pounds

Water weight: 0.99 pounds

Soakage: 87 percent

Notable features: This pullover comp vest is light, thin, flexible, reversible and features loops that allow you to tie the bottom to your shorts, so it won’t roll up on impact.

MSRP: $100

Ronix | One Impact Jacket

Dry: 1.43 pounds

Wet: 2.22 pounds

Water weight: 0.79 pounds

Soakage: 55 percent

Notable features: Based on the Capella pattern, this comp vest is designed to fit your torso properly while providing impact protection for your core.

MSRP: $140

O’Brien | Team NCGA Vest

Dry: 1.23 pounds

Wet: 2.22 pounds

Water weight: 0.99 pounds

Soakage: 80 percent

Notable features: O’Brien’s Team comp vest features a 1.5-millimeter four-way stretch neoprene, which makes it very elastic and extremely comfortable to wear.

MSRP: $100

Liquid Force | Flex Comp

Dry: 1.47 pounds

Wet: 2.97 pounds

Water weight: 1.5 pounds

Soakage: 102 percent

Notable features: This comp vest’s 38-section construction is designed for easy entry, maximum comfort and extreme flexibility.

MSRP: $100

CGA Vests

O’Neill | Torque USCG Vest

Dry: 2.97 pounds

Wet: 4.25 pounds

Water weight: 1.28 pounds

Soakage: 43 percent

Notable features: The Torque is a buoyant, Coast Guard-approved vest that features an integrated lumbar design that supports the lower back when upright and moves with you when bending forward.

MSRP: $130

Jetpilot | Shaun Murray USCG Approved PFD

Dry: 2.18 pounds

Wet: 3.35 pounds

Water weight: 1.17 pounds

Soakage: 54 percent

Notable features: Shaun Murray’s signature vest features a lightweight, low-bulk design that allows for a wide range of motion while keeping you afloat up to the Coast Guard’s standards.

MSRP: $110

Body Glove | Prime

Dry: 2.46 pounds

Wet: 3.88 pounds

Water weight: 1.42 pounds

Soakage: 58 percent

Notable features: This vest has all the bells and whistles. The Prime features an air-foam interior for ventilation and easy drainage, hidden nylon straps, mesh vents, segmented panels, and more.

MSRP: $110

Hyperlite | Special Agent Team

Dry: 2.64 pounds

Wet: 4.26 pounds

Water weight: 1.62 pounds

Soakage: 62 percent

Notable features: This vest stands out with a superior range of motion in all directions thanks to independent segmented rib panels that bend and flex with you.

MSRP: $145

CWB | Absolute Vest

Dry: 1.58 pounds

Wet: 3.21 pounds

Water weight: 1.63 pounds

Soakage: 103 percent

Notable features: The Absolute Vest features an upside down U-shaped flex panel on the back and large armholes that greatly increase mobility.

MSRP: $75 

Ronix | Parks Capella CGA Vest

Dry: 2.62 pounds

Wet: 4.34 pounds

Water weight: 1.72 pounds

Soakage: 66 percent

Notable features: The fit of this vest is designed with a cylindrical shape that is built to fit your torso properly to increase comfort and mobility, all while maintaining Coast Guard-approved safety and flotation standards.

MSRP: $150

O’Brien | Flex V-Back

Dry: 1.98 pounds

Wet: 3.32 pounds

Water weight: 1.34 pounds

Soakage: 68 percent

Notable features: The V-Back feature that the vest is named for is a flexible neoprene webbing that is stretched between the two lower back panels and plays a large part in the vest’s overall comfort.

MSRP: $80

Liquid Force | Watson CGA

Dry: 1.94 pounds

Wet: 3.1 pounds

Water weight: 1.16 pounds

Soakage: 60 percent

Notable features: The Watson CGA vest is designed for maximum comfort by featuring a super stretch material, 11 panels and a size-zip entry.

MSRP: $130

The post The Vest Test appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.