Coast Guard statistics highlight the need to wear a life jacket. During 2008, over two-thirds of boating related deaths were caused by drowning and among these fatalities, ninety percent didn’t wear a life jacket. Officials believe that the lives of more than 400 boaters could be saved every year by just wearing a life jacket.

Inflatable life jackets are a viable option for many boaters and those that work near the water. They aren’t meant for use in all applications. The National Safe Boating Council has made a number of suggestions on how to best utilize these life saving devices.