PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFD)
Life Jacket, Vest, PFD
Whatever you call them, they will save your life…
The life jacket is the single most important piece of safety gear for any
boater. It is estimated over 85% of boaters who die in a boating incident would
have survived if they had only been wearing a PFD. Isn’t that reason enough to
buy a good quality life jacket and wear it always? Boating is a sport, and
having the best safety gear available is critical.
PFD- Selecting The Right One
Life jackets come in a variety of shapes, colors and materials. Some are made
for rugged use while others are made to protect you from cold water. No matter
which life jacket you choose, be sure to get one that is right for you, your
planned activities, and the water conditions you expect to encounter. Remember,
spending a little time now may save your life later.
Read the inside label of a life jacket for restrictions, size, weight, and
USCG approval. Most life jackets are made for general boating activities, but
some are only for specific activities. Read the label to ensure the life jacket
is appropriate for the intended wearer and activity.
The Correct Fit
Select a life jacket for the activity you will be participating in. Many large stores (Wal-Mart, K-Mart) sell life jackets, as well as marine retail stores. Follow these steps to ensure the life jacket you select fits properly:
- Put on the life jacket, ensuring all straps, zippers and ties are fastened firmly and correctly.
- Raise your arms over your head (reach for the sky).
- Have someone firmly lift the life jacket straight up by the shoulders.
- The life jacket must stay in place. If it rises above your nose or mouth, so will water!
Test Your PFD
- Test your life jacket in a pool or shallow water to see how you
float.
- Relax and let your head tilt slightly back.
- The life jacket must keep your chin above water.
- If you are a large person, consider a Type I or inflatable life
jacket to support your body weight.
The 5 Types of PFDs
Wearable, inherently buoyant and inflatable PFDs are available in
Types I, II, III and V).
Inflatable life jackets are rated at different Type levels (I,
II, III or V). Always check the label to determine the Type level of
your PFD. Inflatable life jackets are not to be worn by anyone under 16
years of age, Personal Watercraft riders, skiers/tubers/wakeboarders, or
while boating in whitewater.
| Type I – Offshore. Provides sufficient floatation to keep
most adults turned face up, even if unconscious Large, bulky, and hot,
but provides the most flotation (22 pounds) of the inherently buoyant
life jackets. Recommended for non-swimmers. The Type I Hybrid life
jacket provides both foam and an inflatable system in one jacket. |
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Type II – Near Shore. Provides a minimum of 15.5 pounds of
buoyancy and will turn some unconscious person face up in the water. The
Type II is an excellent choice for children (some models have a collar
handle and crotch strap for added safety). Inflatable Type II are
available. |
| Type III – Flotation Aid. Provides a minimum of 15.5 pounds
of buoyancy. Will not normally turn an unconscious person face-up in the
water. Includes inflatable and foam type life jackets. Most versatile
and comfortable type of life jackets. Excellent choice for most boating
activities including water skiing, wake boarding, tubing, paddle sports,
hunters and anglers. |
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Type IV – Throwable Special Use Device. Seat
cushion or ring buoy styles. Designed to be thrown to a person in the
water and grasped and held. It is not designed to be worn. Type IV PFD
devices include buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. One
must be on all boats 16 feet or longer in addition to the required
wearable life jacket. |
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Type V – Wearable Special Use Device. Hybrids include some
inflatable life jackets, wet suits and survival suits. Must be worn for
the activity stated on the label for it to meet carriage requirements. |
Serviceability Requirements
No PFD may exhibit deterioration that could diminish the performance of the
PFD, including:
- Metal or plastic hardware used to secure the PFD that is broken, deformed, or
weakened by corrosion;
- Webbings or straps used to secure the PFD on the wearer that are ripped, torn,
or which have become separated from an attachment point on the PFD; or
- Any other rotted or deteriorated structural component that fails when tugged.
- Rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coatings, that are large enough to
allow the loss of buoyant material;
- Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, permanently
compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked, or which shows evidence of fungus or
mildew; or
- Loss of buoyant material or buoyant material that is not securely held in
position.
In addition to meeting the requirements of above, an inflatable PFD,
including the inflatable components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, must be equipped
with:
- A properly armed inflation mechanism, complete with a full inflation CO2
cartridge and all status indicators showing that the inflation mechanism is
properly armed:
- Inflatable chambers that are all capable of holding air;
- Oral inflation tubes that are not blocked, detached, or broken;
- A manual inflation lanyard or lever that is not inaccessible, broken, or
missing;
- Inflator status indicator that is not broken or otherwise
non-functional.
- The inflation system of an inflatable PFD need not be armed when the PFD
is worn inflated and meets the rest of the requirements.
Carriage Requirements (wearing it is the best choice):
There must be a wearable life jacket (Type I, II, or III or V) for each
person on the boat, USCG approved, and of the appropriate size for the intended
wearer.
- Type I, II, or III wearable PFDs must be readily accessible.
"Readily Accessible" means the PFDs are stowed where they can be
easily reached, or are out in the open ready for wear. A readily accessible
PFD cannot be in a protective covering or under lock and key.
- Type IV throwable PFD must be immediately available.
"Immediately available" means the PFD shall be quickly reachable in
an emergency situation. An immediately available PFD cannot be in a
protective covering, in a closed compartment or under other equipment.
- Type V must meet labeling requirements stamped on the inside of the PFD.
In most cases, the Type V must be worn in order for it to meet the legal
carriage requirements.
Child Life Jacket Rule
No person shall operate a vessel that has entered the water unless each child under the age of thirteen who is aboard such vessel is wearing a personal flotation device, unless such child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin. Such flotation device shall be of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard and shall be in good and serviceable condition.
Personal Floatation Devices for Other Boats
- No person may operate or give permission to operate a vessel less than sixteen feet in length unless at least one Type I Life Preserver, Type II Buoyant Vest or Type III Special Purpose Water Safety Buoyant Device is on board for each person. For sailboards, an operator may elect to wear a wet suit in lieu of carrying any type of personal flotation device. For vessels used in river running activities, no person may operate or give permission to operate a vessel for the purpose of river running unless at least one Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V Whitewater River Running Buoyant Vest is on board for each person.
- No person may operate or give permission to operate a vessel sixteen feet or more in length unless at least one Type I, Type II or Type III is on board for each person, plus at least one Type IV Buoyant Cushion or Ring Life Buoy, which is immediately available as a throwable device. For vessels used in river running activities, that portion of this regulation requiring a Type IV throwable device does not apply. No person may operate or give permission to operate a vessel for the purpose of river running unless at least one Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V Whitewater River Running Buoyant Vest is on board for each person.
- No person may operate or give permission to operate a recreational vessel unless each Type I, II, III, IV, or V (only for river running) personal flotation device required is readily accessible and is legibly marked with the U.S. Coast Guard approval number and is of appropriate size for the person wearing it or for whom it is intended.
- Sailboard operators may elect to wear, at their own risk, in lieu of carrying a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device, a wetsuit constructed of nylon covered neoprene or similar material that covers the full torso of the wearer. The wetsuit shall be capable of providing flotation to the wearer, when at rest on the surface of the water.
- All equipment shall be in good and serviceable condition.
Other Situations
The best option is to always wear a vest, however, the smart boater will
definitely wear a vest anytime there is a chance of the following:
- High boat traffic – increased boat traffic elevates the risk of
collision.
- Severe weather – high seas and winds increase the chance of capsizings
and swamping.
- Dangerous water conditions – swift water, especially at or near low-head
dams, create unsafe conditions and need to be avoided.
- Dangerous local conditions – rip tides, water intakes and discharges,
shoaling and unmarked hazardous areas are of concern when boating in unfamiliar
waters.
- When off-shore – the further away from land you travel, the greater the
need to wear a PFD.
- Operating at night – night boating presents hazards such as unseen
floating objects, difficult visibility and unlit structures.
- When boating alone – always consider wearing a PFD when boating solo as
there is no one available to assist you should you end up in the water.
Attempting to put on a vest after you are in the water is a tiring,
extremely difficult maneuver, especially in a situation where the water is
cold, or the waves are high, and you are experiencing a life-threatening
situation.
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