There is a big variety of personal flotation devices for sailing. How do you select one that fits your needs?
For this post, I'll narrow it down to what authorities for long-distance races like the CYC Race to Mackinac require, which is a good specification for any safe offshore sailing. Their current 2021 safety regulations state the requirement, for an inflatable model, this way:
"Each crewmember shall have a life jacket that provides at least 33.7 lbs. (150N) of buoyancy, intended to be worn over the shoulders (no belt pack), meeting either U.S. Coast Guard or ISO specifications... Life jackets shall be equipped with a whistle, a waterproof light, be fitted with marine-grade retro-reflective material, and be clearly marked with the boat's or wearer's name, and be compatible with the wearer's safety harness. If the life jacket is inflatable, it shall be regularly checked for air retention and shall be equipped with leg or crotch straps."
So, for the first decision, models that meet either USCG or ISO certification are acceptable. Some brands, like Spinlock, are certified by ISO but have not applied for USCG certification for all their models. The Coast Guard requires USCG approved lifejackets be on board a boat for all crewmembers - Type I, II, III, or V - but Mercedes has spares that meet that requirement.
The next personal choice applies for either manual inflation with ripcord or automatic inflation with water immersion (that includes the manual option). The better lifejackets have reliable automatic inflation systems that do not fire off if drenched with splashes or heavy rain. Some people prefer manual inflation, and there's an advantage if you have to swim underwater without an inflated lifejacket preventing it. However, if a sailor is somehow knocked unconscious before going overboard, manual inflation does no good.
The next decision is tether connection. Offshore sailing at night requires a tether to attach to strong points or jacklines on the boat. There are separate, simple safety harnesses that you can wear that support attaching a tether, but lifejackets that have an integrated safety harness to connect a tether mean you have one less thing to wear.
So, filtering for USCG or ISO, minimum 33.7 lbs. buoyancy, automatic or manual, with integrated safety harness, limits the choices available in the marketplace somewhat. Now, you can add selection criteria like inflation technology, form fitting, cost, color, brand name, cost of the replacement CO2 cartridge, and whether accessories are included. There are good options offered by brands such as Mustang, Onyx, Revere, Spinlock, and CrewSaver.
When you make a choice for your lifejacket, if it is not already outfitted, add an automatic light, whistle, and leg/crotch straps. These are all available for purchase separately. Other options include a personal AIS beacon and spray hood. Buy at least one spare CO2 inflation cartridge to keep with your gear in case the lifejacket deploys accidentally or intentionally. Write your name in indelible ink or paint on the lifejacket. When a lifejacket is identified with your name, it's yours, and it will not be in the pool of lifejackets on Mercedes that guests use.
