Was helping a friend clean and arrange his his boating stuff for the upcoming season, and I noticed he had a “paddle sports” type lifejacket (MTI Reflex MBU). It has zipper and one buckle in front, and various other buckles one the sides and shoulders to adjust the fit.
The label read “Intended Use: Kayaking and Sailing Vest, US Coast Guard Approval #____, Not approved for use on personal water craft, for water skiing, or similar towed uses.” At the same time it does say “Strength Tested at 50 mph”, the same as some other PFDs he had that are specifically listed for water skiing.
Was wondering why they would say this.
Is there some sort of “water ski” test that PFD makers have to submit to if they want it approved for that purpose?
Is there something inherent in the design of a “paddle” vest that would pose a drowning / injury hazard if you tried to use it for water skiing?
Does the manufacturer just want you to buy an additional, different PFD if you want to take it on a jet ski instead of a kayak?
Is this something their legal department just made them say?
The vests for waterskiing are more resistant to shifting that might cause an unconscious person to float face down. It has more straps in front to compensate for the bigger arm holes needed for mobility while skiing.
Ski vests should have at least 3 buckles across the chest. Zippers not required but the buckles are, zips can rip or unzip, one buckle is not enough to protect the wearer.
It appears the punchline is skiing jackets are tested for not coming apart or off the wearer in a high speed impact with the water. Kayaking vests are not so tested.
On a slalom course at competition speed, the skier will momentarily reach 62+ mph in between each buoy. A fall at this speed is likely to tear away, or rearrange a typical PFD such in such a way that it’s dangerous. You can see examples of falls here. I’ve had falls like these that resulted in ER visits and stitches.
The PFDs for barefoot skiing are actually an entire suit, resembling a scuba wetsuit but with floatation sewn in. Although the speeds for barefooters are slightly lower, they are continuous throughout the run, instead of a momentary maximum. Falls at 40 mph are pretty spectacular too. Here are a few. Personally I always wore a neck brace (like a cervical collar), but I don’t see them in this video.