SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-pfd-no-dryer

Your life jacket got soaked. How should you dry it?

Air dry it in the open, never with direct heat.

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  1. In a clothes dryer on high
  2. Next to a heater or radiator
  3. Air dry it in the open ✔

Why: Let a wet life jacket dry thoroughly in open air, then store it in a ventilated spot out of direct sunlight. Dryers, radiators and other direct heat can destroy its buoyancy.

Huh, didn't know that: Don't use a life jacket or throwable cushion as a kneeling pad or boat fender either.

The dad joke
Why did the life jacket hang out on the clothesline? It needed some air time.
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References

Answer: Air dry it in the open. Let a wet life jacket dry thoroughly in open air, then store it in a ventilated spot out of direct sunlight. Dryers, radiators and other direct heat can destroy its buoyancy.

  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
    Drying it in a dryer, in front of a radiator, or other source of direct heat will destroy its buoyancy.
    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
    If wet, allow it to dry thoroughly in open air before storing.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterBefore using an inflatable life jacket, what must you check?Boating & WaterFederal rules say a recreational boat must carry how many wearable life jackets?Boating & WaterAt what boat length does federal law add a throwable flotation device to the wearable ones?

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