Life Jacket Fit Check

📋 What You'll Need

• •1 or more life jackets (PFDs) of different sizes
• •A friend or family member to test fit
• •A full-length mirror or phone for photos

👣 Step by Step

1. 1Inspect each life jacket for tears, broken zippers, or waterlogged foam.
2. 2Check the inside label for the U.S. Coast Guard approval number.
3. 3Have someone put on a life jacket and zip or buckle all closures.
4. 4Pull the shoulder straps up — if the jacket rides up past their ears, it's too loose.
5. 5Tighten all side straps until the jacket fits snug but allows full arm movement.
6. 6Test a second person in the same jacket — note how fit changes by body size.

🔍 What to Observe

• •Did the jacket ride up when you pulled the shoulders?
• •Could the person move their arms freely after tightening?
• •What size range does each jacket's label recommend?