While they may not make a fashion statement, life vests can very well save your life.

Also called life jackets, they come in adult, youth, child, and infant sizes, and they help prevent drowning during water activities. A good-fitting life vest should be appropriate for the type of sport or activity you’re doing. A fitted vest with wide-cut arms make movement easier during snorkeling, water skiing, and kayaking. Fishing life vests have multiple loops, pockets, and hangers for your fishing rods and accessories.

Life vests are suitable for calm inland water; however, if you plan to be in rough or remote water (where rescue will take longer), an offshore life jacket is recommended because it offers more buoyancy. You should test your life vest for buoyance at least once a year. If it’s leaking, faded, or waterlogged, get a new one.