SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-label-slash-activities

A life jacket label shows water skiing and PWC icons with slashes through them. What does that mean?

It is not approved for those activities.

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  1. It is required for those activities
  2. It only works in salt water
  3. It is not approved for those activities ✔

Why: Slashed activity icons are warnings. For towed sports, personal watercraft or whitewater, pick a life jacket that is marked for that activity.

Huh, didn't know that: An 'impact rating' only means the jacket's straps and seams were strength tested, not that it protects you from impact.

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Why did the life jacket skip the ski trip? Its label said no.
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References

Answer: It is not approved for those activities. Slashed activity icons are warnings. For towed sports, personal watercraft or whitewater, pick a life jacket that is marked for that activity.

  1. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Basic Boating Knowledge Core Plus Power technical report higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
    Icons with activities and a slash through them indicate warnings and limitations of use.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Basic Boating Knowledge Core Plus Power technical report higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
    not designed for towed sports such as skiing and tubing, personal watercraft operation, or whitewater paddle sports.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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