Life Vests / Life Jackets / Personal Floatation Device
All sailors and instructors with SailATL sailing classes must use Coast Guard approved Type III life vests while on the docks or in the boats. The Coast Guard approval will be on a label attached to the life vest, also sometimes called a Personal Floatation Device (PFD). If this label is not attached or it does not say Coast Guard approved, do not use it.
The life vest must fit securely to be effective. This video shows how to check and adjust the fit of a lift vest.
Avoid getting a life vest with straps across the front as shown in this picture. The straps can catch on the side of the boat or dock if you are trying to get out of the water.
The pictures below show life vests that are smoother across the front, so they do not catch when being pulled from the water. Note that the straps over the shoulders give your arms a lot of free movement to handle sails and not catch on the rigging.