This month's column is about Life Jackets. BORING! Besides, you know everything there is to know about them, right? Let's find out. Take this quiz; then we'll talk.

1. T or F. Most boating fatalities occur at sea.
2. T or F. Most boating fatalities happen to women, minorities, and children under 18.
3. T or F. Most boating fatalities occur in bad weather.
4. T or F. Most boating fatalities are from bodily injuries, due to a collision.
5. T or F. Most boating fatalities happen to inexperienced boaters.
6. T or F. The law only requires that you have one life jacket per person on board.
7. T or F. It is OK to put a child in an adult life jacket but not vice versa.
8. T or F. Boat-related drownings occur because there were no life jackets on board.
9. T or F. The law views an inflatable life jacket the same as a regular life jacket.
10. T or F. An floatable seat cushion counts as a life jacket.

Surprisingly, most boating fatalities happen to while males, 18-34 with boating experience. They occur on lakes, streams, and inland waters more than the ocean, and in boats under 16 feet, in calm seas and good weather. 70% of all boating fatalities are from drowning, and in 90% of the fatalities, the victim was not wearing a life jacket.

Drownings are most likely to occur when a person enters the water unexpectedly from a boat capsizing or from a fall. When this happens, there is no time to grab a life jacket and the trauma of such an event creates sufficient shock and disorientation to prevent even good swimmers from saving themselves.

The law requires that each individual on board have a properly sized and fitted Coast Guard approved life jacket (other than Type IV) that is in good condition. Boats 16 feet or larger also must carry a throwable (Type IV) floatation device (such as a cushion or ring). Life jackets are generally labeled as "infant", "child", "youth", or "adult", but more importantly show the weight range of the person they were designed to support (e.g. less than 30 pounds, 30-50, less than 90, etc.). It is more important that the jacket fit the weight range than the age range. It is also vital that a child is securely fitted in a jacket that they can not slip out of.

Life jackets used to be boring and bulky. Today, they come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and types. These include life jackets, vests, coats, deck suits, and inflatables. The Coast Guard designates them by type (I, II, III, IV, and V) according to their style and buoyancy, but the important thing is to know is the purpose of each. Briefly summarized: Type I is for off-shore, providing more buoyancy and support for the head; Type II is for inshore boating; Type III is for calm water conditions, but unlike I & II, will not turn an unconscious person's face out of the water; Type IV is a throwable device; and Type V is a special use device, such as a floatation coat, work vest, or deck suit. Which is best? The one that is designed for your conditions and is comfortable enough for you to wear while onboard ! A life jacket on board does you no good when you are in the water.

The law states that Life jackets must be readily available (not in plastic or stowed under other gear) and throwable devices must be immediately available (not in a locker) when underway. Inflatable life jackets (w/ CO2 cartridges) must be worn to be counted. (Remember that when submerged, they are designed to inflate. If this happens inside a locker of a capsized boat, they could restrict removal and access to all other life jackets.)

Wearing a life jacket is a state law for some activities, such as: skiing, tubing, riding a PWC, white water paddling, and sail-boarding. In Georgia, all children under 10 years old must wear a properly fitting life jacket when riding in an unconfined portion of the boat. In SC, the age limit is under 12.

So how did you do? The answers to the quiz were all false. So what did you learn? Select the right life jacket. Wear it. Be safe.