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29 Chapter 4 ■ Personal Flotation Devices (Life Jackets) All vessels must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jackets called personal flotation devices or PFDs. The quantity and type depends on the length of your vessel and the number of people on board and/or being towed. Each life jacket must be in good condition, the proper size for the intended wearer, and very importantly, must be readily accessible! Readily accessible means you must be able to put the life jacket on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.). Life jackets should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them. Vessel operators should ask everyone on their vessel to wear a life jacket (life jacket) whenever on the water. Life jackets can save lives, but only if they are worn! PFD Descriptions TYPE I: Offshore Life Jackets These vests are geared for rough or remote waters where rescue may take awhile. They provide the most buoyancy, are excellent for flotation, and will turn most unconscious persons face up in the water. TYPE II: Near-Shore Vests These vests are good for calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely. Type II vests will turn some unconscious wearers face up in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as with a Type I. TYPE III: Flotation Aids These vests or full-sleeved jackets are good for calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely. They are not recommended for rough waters since they will not turn most unconscious persons face up. Type III PFDs are used for water sports such as water-skiing. Some Type III PFDs are designed to inflate when you enter the water. TYPE IV: Throwable Devices/Not Wearable These cushions and ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. Since a Type IV PFD is not designed to be worn, it is neither for rough waters nor for persons who are unable to hold onto it. TYPE V: Special-Use Devices These vests, deck suits, hybrid PFDs, and others are designed for specific activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, or water- skiing. Some Type V PFDs are designed to inflate when you enter the water. To be acceptable, Type V PFDs must be used in accordance with their label. PFD Requirements • All vessels must have at least one USCG-approved Type I, II, III or V life jacket for each person on board and being towed. All vessels, except personal watercraft, canoes and kayaks, must also carry one USCG-approved Type IV throwable device. • Persons less than 13 years of age must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III life jacket while on board or being towed by a vessel. A life belt or ring will not satisfy the requirement. • A personal watercraft may not be operated unless each person on board is wearing a USCG-approved Type I, II, III or V life jacket. • Sailboarders are not required to wear a life jacket, but it is recommended. • Inflatable life jackets should not be used by nonswimmers or anyone under the age of 16. USCG-approved inflatable life jackets are fairly new and caution should be practiced when using one. • All life jackets must be in good and serviceable condition and readily accessible. The life jackets must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for life jackets is based on body weight and chest size. Types of Personal Flotation Devices Read and follow the label restrictions on all PFDs. TYPE I TYPE II TYPE III TYPE III Inflatable TYPE V TYPE IV Ring Buoy TYPE IV Cushion BOATER'S TIP An emergency situation (rough water, rapid onset of bad weather, or dangerous boating traffic) can occur suddenly—leaving little or no time to put on life jackets. Life jackets are very difficult to put on once you are in the water. Be a smart boater, and have everyone on board your vessel wear their life jackets at all times. Copyright © 2014 Boat Ed, www.boat-ed.com

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