What Color Jet ski Life Jacket Is Best?

Wearing life jacket on jet ski ride is as important as having seat belt while driving car. But over here, choosing correct color life jacket serves same kind of importance. Jet skiing is fast paced sports, it does require some additional visibility to grab attention. In this article, I’ll help you find most effective colors for life jackets. 

What Color Life Jacket Is The Best?

Wearing a fluorescent green coloured life jacket can increase visual detection even in low light conditions. It works better than the standard color combinations options.

Though, having life jacket in orange, red and yellow is not bad option. They equally serve high visibility and can be easily spotted in emergency. If you already own one of this color, then you are good go.

I have seen youngster coming up with different color option like white, black or blue, which don’t appeal to eye, plus they tend to blend with environment like, water blends with blue, black with night and white with environment. Please do buy them, as this color are really hard to spot.

Science behind the color

It goes without saying that there are certain colours for added visibility. The neon orange and pink are definitely have easiest spectrum to see even under water.

For a deeper understanding of how different colors are perceived and their impact on visibility, especially in water, you might want to explore ‘The Science Behind Colors‘, a comprehensive article on basic color theory.

As per HVSA, yellow and green fluorescent are recommended color in terms of visibility, this color are tested and can detected by normal eye within distance range of 350m.

Comparing Different Life Jacket Colors

On testing and comparing different colours of pfds, it was found that orange, green colour had highest brightness and visibility followed by yellow and red. Eventually, it was black, white and blue that had low visibility and hence it is not suggested to go for such colours at all.

Colour	Visibility	Suitability for Life Jackets
Fluorescent Green	Very High	Highly Recommended
Yellow	High	Highly Recommended
Red	High	Highly Recommended
Orange	High	Highly Recommended
Black	Low	Not Recommended
Blue	Low	Not Recommended
White	Low	Not Recommended

Why Pay Attention To Life Jacket Color?

According to science of color wavelengths, the colours have a certain reflection. The intensity of the colour wavelength is directly related to its reflection. The shorter the wavelength, the difficult it would be to view the colour.

The color with shortest wavelength are blue and violet, where the longest wavelength color are yellow, red and orange. It means that if you sit in a dark room while wearing all these colours, it will be easy to spot you right there.

Is there any Law to opt for any specific color for jet ski?

There is no such law, but having bright have its benefit when it comes to rescuing. You don’t want situation, wherein you are asking for help but due to not wearing bright color, no one witness you!

FAQ’s

What is the most visible color on water?

Fluorescent green coloured life vests are the best for added visibility and clarity of object from great distance. In terms of color wavelengths and intensities, fluorescent green life jackets followed by red and orange are the best and the most approached colours.

What If I already Own a non-bright color life jacket?

I have been through this, to tackle, you can opt to have reflective color tape. They work in same as any other most visible color will do. You can make reflective stripe coming from shoulder to bottom or make “X” at the back to get high visibility.