2024 ABCs of California Boating

Required Equipment

When to Replace a Life Jacket To make sure that your life jackets remain in good serviceable condition: • Do not alter life jackets. An altered life jacket no longer meets legal requirements and may not save your life. • Do not place heavy objects on life jackets during storage. • Do not use life jackets as kneeling pads, boat fenders, or seat cushions because they lose buoyancy when they’re crushed. • Let life jackets air-dry thoroughly before putting them away. • Always store your life jackets in a well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight. • Never dry your life jackets by a direct heat source, such as a dryer, heater, or radiator. • Before wearing, check life jackets for signs of wear and age. Look for rips or tears, mildew, loose or missing straps, frayed webbing, broken zippers or buckles, and hardened stuffing. A life jacket with any of these problems must be destroyed. • According to the U.S. Coast Guard a life jacket is no longer in serviceable condition if the straps and/or zippers or fasteners do not work. Life Jacket Label Performance Level Rating Icons

NOTE: Regardless of the “Type” shown on a flotation device, ALL life jackets shall be used in accordance with the Coast Guard approval statement for intended use and the manufacturer’s instructions.

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