Offshore Life Jacket – The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Do you know the life jacket business is growing day by day? But to find the best quality life jacket to save your customer from water hazards is difficult.

Different life jackets work in different situation. So, if you’re searching best life jacket for open and rough sea, then this is the article for you.

Offshore Life Jackets are specially designed for open and rough sea.

Life jackets are safety gear, but when we talk about Offshore Life Jacket. It has a lot of things you should know about.

In this article, we’ll cover hidden things about Offshore Life Jacket.

So, let’s get started.

Type 1 life jacket works best in open or rough weather. It’s the choice of sea persons.

You can use Type1 life jacket in boating, Fishing offshore, Racing activities, Speed boating, cruising in Rough weather conditions.

In addition, it supports the best protection to the body as it has the capability to keep the body warm.

Type I life jackets have 36 pounds of floatation that enable a wearer to save from the effect of high waves.

It is widely used for commercial vessels. These type I jackets are the perfect choice for accidental situations where help takes time to reach.

Figure 1: Type 1 Life Jacket

If you’re the person who wants to touch high waves or a lover of rough sea, then an offshore life jacket only for you.

An offshore life jacket is designed and created to keep a conscious or an unconscious wearer face-up in the deep water.

It is widely used in commercial vessels, fishing, racing activity and cruising.

Offshore life jacket has high-visibility fluorescent orange vest has SOLAS reflective panels for enhanced visibility.

It provides the most buoyancy for flotation and keeps you safe in any unexpected event.

Offshore life jackets are bulky and difficult to wear. But it can double the chances of survival.

Figure 2: Offshore life jacket for the open sea

Type 1 life jacket is a life-saving jacket. If you think you’re the best swimmer and you don’t need a jacket, then you’re wrong.

Do you know Michael Phelps? He is a 23-time Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming.  Michael Phelps is a pretty terrible swimmer when he has been knocked unconscious by water hazards.

So, are you a better swimmer than Michael Phelps?

Type I life jackets are the most robust and strong jackets to save you from drowning.

In an offshore life jacket where the nominal buoyancy level exceeds 100N.  Some jackets have 150N or above.

A high level of buoyancy provides a safe floating position. Also, designed to turn the wearer head-up.

Offshore life jackets have a collar support design on the back of the head that saves the wearer from any neck injury.

Offshore life jackets have visible and bright colors that can be noticeable from a distance.

Also, Offshore life jackets have additional safety features such as light and whistles. Safety features help to get attention.

Figure 3: Offshore life jackets save you from drowning

An offshore life jacket is for commercial vessels, fishing, racing activity and cruising.

Offshore life jackets are safe and robust jackets. These jackets are ideally used in the following conditions:

Commercial Activity such as fishing. Wearing an offshore life jacket saves you from water hazards.

Sports Activity such as racing activities and speed boating. Wearing offshore life jackets allow you to have fun and low the risk of drowning.

Fun Activity such as Cruising. Wearing offshore life jackets keeps you brave and reduce the fear of drowning. Meanwhile, you can enjoy your time with your family.

Thrilled Activity such as boating in rough weather conditions. Before jumping into high waves. Protect yourself by wearing an offshore life jacket so that thrilled and protection work side by side.

Figure 4 Offshore life jacket

Yes. It’s safe to wear an offshore life jacket.

Life jackets can protect lives and are a vital part of water safety.

Before wearing a life jacket, you must be assured that your life jacket is tested by underwater laboratories and U.S. Coast Guard-approved.

It’s made for open sea or rough sea to protect from drowning.

An offshore life jacket is a sleeveless jacket that is filled with air to help float in water.

Offshore life jackets are the most robust and safe jackets. But these jackets are bulky, so it is uncomfortable to wear.

Moreover, it has the best protection feature for the body. It has the ability to keep the heat to the body.

Figure 5: It is Safe to Wear an Offshore Life Jacket in the Ocean
Picture courtesy: U.S Boat Foundation

Offshore Life Jackets work on the law of buoyancy. It means that the amount of water displaced by an object is equal to its weight.

This works that when a person is in the water, Buoyancy creates the weight of a person to less than the buoyancy force that helps a person to float.

An offshore life jacket is made of lightweight material that weighs less than the average weight density of human beings.

As a result, when a person is wearing an Offshore Life Jacket, the total weight to be displaced by the water is much less as compared to the weight of the person alone, and so the person floats.

Figure 6: How life jacket works

The maximum lifespan of an offshore life jacket is ten years, but it depends on the maintenance. Also, an annual visual inspection is recommended.

Some simple things you can do to long last the life of an offshore Life Jacket.

• After using it, let it dry thoroughly and store it in a well-ventilated place.
• Don’t put heavy objects on your offshore Life Jacket as its loose buoyancy when damaged.
• Stay out from sunlight, Long term exposure to UV light can weaken the fabric and belts.
• Never dry your offshore Life Jacket from a direct source of any heat. It can damage the outer face of the jacket.

Any defect in material such as tears, abrasion, and stretch in the cloth, colour change or damage in buckles or buoyancy damaged can lead you to a dangerous situation. Then you must remove these jackets from service.

PFDs are a personal flotation device used while swimming or water. PFDs are life-saving devices that help a person to float. Following are the different types of PFDs. You can use it according to the situation or activity.

• Type I:

These types of jackets are for open and rough sea. Offshore life jacket above 20 pounds of buoyancy, its special design turns an unconscious person face-up. These jackets use where rescue takes time to reach.

• Type II:

Type II PFDs are the ones commonly used in calm waters such as pools, canals, shores or inland water. These type II PFDs have floatation of 15.5 pounds to 33 pounds.

These PFDs are more comfortable than type 1 and easy to wear. These PFDs are favourable to wear where rescue easily reached.

• Type III:

PFDs are the ideal option for daily workers such as sailors, cargo workers and sportsman where rescue is easily available,

These PFDs are more comfortable and easier to wear. A wearer can move around and work easily.

It has a floatation capacity of around 15.5 to 22 pounds. It’s not self-adjusted to face-up. That’s why these PFDs are not effective for an unconscious person as they cannot hold a face upward.

• Type IV:

These PFDs are throwable devices used for a conscious person. It helps a person to float. These PFDs are only useful where rescue can easily reach.

These PFDs are available in many designs, such as ring buoy, horseshoe and floatable cushions. These PFDs have a floatation of 16 pounds or more than depending on the design.

• Type V:

These types of PFDs are customized depending on the activity. These usually come with labels that specify the activity they are intended for.

These PFDs has approval label on jacket for specific activities.

Figure 6: Types of PFDs

Before buying an offshore life jacket, you must check the stamp of approval of RINA, CCS, CE, EC.

These are international approvals shows that the product material is high quality and meet the right standard.

The best offshore life jacket is that which exactly fits on you. So, you must select it as per your size.

You must check that all the safety features are according to standard and operating.

You can select an offshore life jacket colour and design according to your choice.

Offshore life jackets are only suitable for open and rough sea. You must wear it to avoid any accident.

The safest life jackets are those jackets which you wear. Simple is this.

Meanwhile, which jacket is safe for you can be determined by the activity you’ll do.

So, you can select your life jacket according to the activity you do in the water.

PFD Type 1 offshore life jacket is recommended for open and rough sea.

Offshore life jacket turns unconscious wearers to face-up position.

This works that when a person is in the water, Buoyancy creates the weight of a person to less than the buoyancy force that helps a person to float. It is available for adults in a size of 22 lb. of buoyancy.

And for a child in a size of 11 lb. of buoyancy.

Safety of life at sea (SOLAS) life jackets have high-performance standard and are approved for all vessels.

The SOLAS life jackets have the ability to turn you on your back in seconds to keep your face-up, even if you’re unconscious.

These life jackets come in two different sizes, For over 32 kg (70lbs) or less than 32 kg (70 lbs.).

These jackets are comfortable and have greater floating ability than PFD. Orange colour can make you much more visible while in the water.

Figure 7: SOLAS Approved life jacket

If you wear an offshore life jacket properly, then it will enable you to float in water.

Choosing a fitted offshore life jacket is essential.

Also, ensure that your offshore life jacket is not damaged from any side.

You can follow these for wearing a jacket.

• Open buckles of the jacket and wear it.
• Adjust it to the neck.
• Adjust strap belt and buckles according to your size.
• Light and whistle are attached to each offshore life jacket.

After wearing it properly, now you’re ready to jump in the water.

Figure 8 how do you put an offshore life jacket?

Offshore Life Jackets must be tested in shallow water before entering offshore water.

To ensure a life jacket works well, try it in a swimming pool where the rescue is nearby.

When you enter the water, an offshore life jacket enables a person to float in the water.

It works under the law of buoyancy; it means that when a person is in the water, buoyancy creates the weight of a person to less than the buoyancy force that helps a person to float.

Suppose your offshore life jacket is floating you in water. It means that the jacket is working properly and you can use it in deep water.

Yes, it has in-built buoyancy technology. So, if you don’t know how to swim. An Offshore Life Jacket Keeps You float in the water.

Yes, Offshore Life Jackets are reusable.

Following precautions must be adhered to. So, maintain and reuse an Offshore Life Jacket.

• After using a life jacket, make sure to completely rinse off the Offshore Life Jacket with clean water.
• Dry offshore life jacket completely. Preferably in the sun.
• Do not use any type of direct heat, such as a hairdryer.
• When the offshore life jacket completely dried. Store it in a cool, dry and dark location.

Modern offshore life jackets are available in a wide range of colours, shape, sizes and style.

Life jackets have different parameters and performance.

You need to choose one which is according to your size and activity.

There is different type of life jacket for different type of underwater activities.

As well as, before choosing a life jacket, be assured that it is approved by USCG.

Also, it must be in your size and fit you well and according to your activity.

The adult size life jacket must have 22 lb. of buoyancy.

Offshore Life Jackets are robust and safe jacket and are used in open and rough sea. You can wear an Offshore Life Jacket in the following conditions such as:

Commercial Activity such as fishing. Wearing an offshore life jacket saves you from water hazards.

Figure 10: No excuse to wear offshore life while fishing

Sports Activity such as racing activities and speed boating. Wearing offshore life jackets allow you to have fun and low the risk of drowning.

Figure 11: Fun without protection is dangerous

Fun Activity such as Cruising. Wearing offshore life jackets keeps you brave and reduce the fear of drowning. Meanwhile, you can enjoy your time with your family.

Figure 12: Cruising

Thrilled Activity such as boating in rough weather conditions. Before jumping into high waves. Protect yourself by wearing an offshore life jacket so that thrilled and protection work side by side.

Figure 13: boating or racing in rough sea

The offshore life jacket doesn’t expire. It lasts for a long time if maintenance and care are taken.

Here are simple steps you can follow to maintain an offshore life jacket and increase its life.

• Protect from heat and direct sunlight.
• Always purchase an approved USCG offshore life jacket.
• Take care of buckles and other equipment in an offshore life jacket.
• Do not put anything on the jacket as it can lose buoyancy.

Figure 14: Damaged and expired life jacket

Offshore life jacket doesn’t repack because its buoyancy cannot deflate.

Even if you turn the arms of the jacket, it may damage and tear the jacket.

Therefore, avoid turning and repack an offshore life jacket.

Before wearing an Offshore Life jacket, you must check all the legal requirements for using an Offshore Life Jacket. Such as:

• The Offshore Life Jacket must be approved by USCG or NA, CCS, CE, EC.
• The Offshore Life Jacket must be appropriate and fit according to size.
• The Offshore Life Jacket must be in good condition, including buckles, strips, whistle and the light.
• The Offshore Life Jacket must be worn onboard for each person.
• The Offshore Life Jackets are only for adults. As these are bulky and uncomfortable and are only used in open or rough sea.

Offshore Life Jacket can hold a weight of more than 100 kg.

And we talk about buoyancy, and Adult jackets offer at least buoyancies ranging from 15.5 pounds to 22 pounds (7 kilograms to 10 kilograms).

Offshore Life Jacket is weighted according to the extra weight they can support. Since the average person in the water requires about 7 to 12 kg to float, a healthy jacket does not have to support the entire body weight. Instead, it supports the weight of your body to float.

The material found inside the life jacket is classified into three categories such as inherently buoyant and inflatable.

I) Inherently buoyant:

In this material used often include plastic foams such as polyvinylchloride and polyethene. These types of jackets don’t need any activation although, In-built air trapped in arms.

ii) Inflatable

These Inflatable life jackets have cartridges of carbon dioxide gas sewn into them. When activated, the gas will release and inflate the jacket.

The inflatable can be manual and automatic.

Automatic can be inflated when entering the water. On the other hand, the manual requires the wearer to manually pull a tab that activates the inflation.

Yes, it has a difference. But both work for the same. As both tools are used for saving a life.

However, these two terms are used interchangeably, but they have a little difference.

N stands for Newton, and it gives buoyancy range of that given offshore life jacket. It helps the wearer to keep afloat.

150N means that the life jacket provides a buoyancy/floatation of 150Newtons that is equal to 33 pounds.

Moreover, it is recommended that when going to open or rough sea. Must wear 150N life jacket.

Figure 15: 150N offshore life jacket

A life jacket is a kind of water rescue equipment, and it should meet international standards such as EC, CE, RINA, ISO, USCG and CCS.

Therefore, while choosing a life jacket. You must ensure that it is approved by international standards and local standards so that it is safe to use.

Offshore Life jackets come in different sizes and ranges to cover up all ages.

In the market, you will be able to get life jackets labelled from smaller to larger.

Figure 16: Various life jackets

Yes, you can determine the buoyancy of your life jacket while in water.

It is recommended you that relax your body while letting your head tilt backwards.

It is approximated that 80% of the body is composed of water and thus has no weight in water. If we minus the fat of the body, we can get 6 pounds while on water through a formula.

It is estimated that the person weighing 125 pounds weighs 6 pounds while on water.

Therefore, this person can use type three floatation devices that provide floatation of around 15.5 pounds.

Yes, an offshore life jacket can be used by swimmers or non-swimmers. On the other hand, Inflatable life jackets are only suitable for swimmers.

These Inflatable life jackets have cartridges of carbon dioxide gas sewn into them. When activated, the gas will release and inflate the jacket. It enhances safety in the water for the swimmer.

And Offshore life jackets have in-built air in arms and create buoyancy in water.

Offshore Life Jackets are lifesaving product, and they must be purchase from an authentic manufacturer.

You cannot purchase it from anywhere, as it’s a life-saving product. Therefore, you should purchase it from a professional manufacturer.

Xingdun is a LIFE JACKET Manufacturer & Factory in China. They’re working since 2005 and specialized in manufacturing life jackets.

Their products are approved by CCS, EC. Different designs and varieties are available to boost your business.

You can shop now from Xingdun Life Jacket Manufacturer to save your customer’s life, so they can swim confidently.

Other following things should be considered before purchasing offshore life jacket.

• The manufacturer prioritizes safety first and has international certificates.
• The manufacturer uses high-quality materials.
• The manufacturer should have various safety and quality certificates.
• The manufacturer offers you a comparable market price.