SAFETY Life Jacket Check Guidelines


As a sailing instructor, one of your primary responsibilities is safety. First, check that your personal life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved, properly fits, and is buckled or zipped. Next, it is your responsibility to teach your students how to select a life jacket, how to make sure it fits properly, and when to wear it.


Some tips from the National Safe Boating Council when conducting life jacket checks for your sailors:


• E Check the manufacturer’s ratings for your size and weight. • E Make sure the life jacket is properly zipped and/or buckled.


• E Check for fit by raising your arms above your head while wearing the life jacket and ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up.


• E Ensure your life jacket fits properly with no excess room above the openings and the life jacket does not ride up over your chin or face.


• E Life jackets that are too big will cause the flotation device to push up around your face, which could be dangerous.


• E Life jackets that are too small may not be able to keep you afloat.


Water Comfort Check Guidelines In-Person Level 1 Course & Students


The purpose of the US Sailing Water Comfort Check is to determine a person’s comfort level in the water, not their swimming ability. At the in-person portion of your Small Boat Level 1 Instructor Course you will need to demonstrate your comfort in the water before participating in any on-water activities including sailing and capsize recovery.


US Sailing recommends that after you become a certified Small Boat Level 1 Instructor, you use the same process to assess water comfort in your students back at your sailing organization. Everyone must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved, properly fitted, life jacket during the entirety of the water comfort check.


Life Jacket Fit? 10 Table of Contents


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