Why You Should Wear a Life Jacket Before You Get on Water

This article was produced in partnership with the Water Sports Foundation.

Let’s face it, most people have a pretty high opinion of their swimming abilities, and that’s doubly true of folks who enjoy sports like kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Most of us think we're strong enough swimmers to leave the life jacket behind.

But the facts don't lie: 85 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket, according to recent stats from a 2022 United States Coast Guard study. The bottom line is life jackets aren’t much help unless you wear them. Fortunately, today’s life jackets are more comfortable, attractive, and effective than ever. There’s no reason not to buckle up every time you go out in a boat or paddlecraft.

But as long as we have a life jacket in the vessel with us, we'll be fine, right? 

That's another fallacy. Often, after hitting cold or rough water (or both, as is usually the case), you can get disorientated and the watercraft can slip away from you, quickly robbing you of potential floatation devices.

According to the Coast Guard, half of all recreational boating deaths from drowning occur close to shore in calm water. They also found that most of the times, life jackets are around but not worn.

If you put your life jacket on before getting into a boat, that's one less thing to have to worry about or react to if an emergency arises, no matter how slight. And the Coast Guard notes that most drowning incidents occur in calm water with light wind and good visibility, which is when folks often decide not to wear a life jacket. 

How Do Life Jackets Work?

Wearing a life jacket anytime you're in or on a boat may seem silly to those who grew up around water, but accidents and the unexpected can happen at any time and negate whatever aquatic skills you have. A life jacket can save your life by simply providing buoyancy. 

This extra boost can keep your head above water in a whole range of scenarios. If you jump in the water to save someone, if you're no longer able to keep yourself afloat due to an injury, fatigue, or numbness caused by cold, and if you're a weak swimmer (or don't know how to swim).

What Kind of Life Jacket Is Best?

Hands down, the best life jacket is the one you'll wear (and that fits you and your kids). Today, there are many different types on the market that offer varying styles to fit your needs but still provide excellent flotation. 

The first step in selecting a life jacket is making sure it's Coast Guard-approved, which you can determine by looking for text—usually on the inside of the back—that describes it as such. Then, figure out what type is best for you and the activities you plan to engage in on the water.

Life Jacket Types

The most typical version is a vest type that slips over your head and is secured across the torso with buckles. Another common life jacket type is the floatation aid, which has a zipper in the front. Other general boating life jackets include auto inflatable, manual inflatable, and belt-pack inflatable. These are slim and comfortable but will inflate with a hidden CO2 cartridge upon hitting the water or when you pull the release.

For more high-action water sports like on a personal watercraft or waterskiing, the vest-type flotation aid is the style that works best. It's rugged and tight-fitting to allow for floatation after a high-speed impact. Paddlesports like kayaking and SUPing have their own special style—touring and whitewater paddling jackets—that offers a greater range of motion for your shoulders and arms. 

Just remember that all boaters need to make sure their life jackets are serviceable, properly sized, correctly fastened, and suitable for the activity.