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Personal Flotation Devices
Equipment Requirements - PFD
The Coast Guard sets minimum safety
standards for vessels and associated equipment. To meet these
standards some of the equipment must be Coast Guard approved.
"Coast Guard Approved Equipment" has been determined
to be in compliance with USCG specifications and regulations
relating to performance, construction or materials.
Personal Flotation Devices
PFDs must be Coast Guard approved,
in good and serviceable condition, and of appropriate size for
the intended user. Wearable PFDs must be readily accessible,
meaning you must be able to put them on in a reasonable
amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.).
They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed
compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them. Throw
able
devices must be immediately available for use. Though
not required, a PFD should be worn at all times when the vessel
is underway. A wearable PFD may save your life, but only if
you wear it.
All recreational boats must carry one Type I, II, III or V PFD
(wearable) for each person aboard. Type V PFDs are applicable
only if used according to their label requirements. Any boat
16ft and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one
Type IV (throw able) PFD.
When available, Coast Guard Approved Inflatable PFD's will be
authorized only for adults.
Child PFD requirements:
Some states require that PFDs be worn by children of specific
ages under certain conditions. Check with your state boating
safety officials.
Federal law does not require PFDs on racing shells, rowing sculls
and racing kayaks. State laws vary.
Remember, PFDs will keep you from sinking, but not necessarily
from drowning. Extra time should be taken in selecting a properly
sized PFD to insure a safe fit. Testing your PFD in shallow
water or guarded swimming pool is a good and reassuring practice.
Types of PFDs
A TYPE I PFD, or OFF-SHORE LIFE
JACKET provides the most buoyancy. It is effective for all waters,
especially open, rough or remote waters where rescue may be
delayed. It is designed to turn most unconscious wearers in
the water to a face-up position. The Type I comes in two sizes.
The adult size provides at least 22 pounds buoyancy, the child
size provides at least 11 pounds buoyancy.
| Off-Shore Life Jacket |
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A TYPE II PFD, or NEAR-SHORE BUOYANCY
VEST is intended for calm, inland water or where there is a
good chance of quick rescue. This type will turn some
unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water. The
turning action is not as pronounced and it will not turn as
many persons to a face-up position under the same conditions
as a Type I. An adult size device provides at least 15 1/2 pounds
buoyancy, a medium child provides 11 pounds. Infant and small
child sizes provide at least 7 pounds buoyancy.
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Near-Shore
Buoyancy Vest |
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A TYPE III
PFD, or FLOTATION AID is good for calm, inland water, or
where there is a good chance of quick rescue. It is designed
so wearers can place themselves in a face-up position in the
water. The wearer may have to tilt their head back to avoid
turning face-down in the water. The Type III has the same minimum
buoyancy as a Type II PFD. It comes in many styles, colors,
and sizes and is generally the most comfortable type for continuous
wear. Float coats, fishing vests, and vests designed with features
suitable for various sports activities are examples of this
type PFD.
| Flotation Aid |
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A TYPE IV PFD,
or THROW ABLE DEVICE is intended for calm, inland water with
heavy boat traffic, where help is always present. It is designed
to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held by
the user until rescued. It is not designed to be worn. Type
IV devices include buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe
buoys.
| Throw able Device
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A TYPE V PFD,
or SPECIAL USE DEVICE is intended for specific activities and
may be carried instead of another PFD only
if used according to the approval condition on that label.
Some Type V devices provide significant hypothermia protection.
Varieties include deck suits, work vests, board sailing vests,
and Hybrid PFDs.
A TYPE
V HYBRID INFLATABLE PFD is the least bulky of all PFD types.
It contains a small amount of inherent buoyancy, and an inflatable
chamber. Its performance is equal to a Type I, II, or III PFD
(as noted on the PFD label) when inflated. Hybrid
PFDs must be worn when underway to be acceptable.
| Inflated Hybrid PFD |
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Water Skiing,
PWC's and PFD's
A water-skier is considered on board
the vessel and a PFD is required for the purposes of compliance
with the PFD carriage requirements. It
is advisable and recommended for skiers and PWC (Personal Water
Craft) riders to wear a PFD designed to withstand the impact
of hitting the water at high speed. "Impact Class"
marking on the label refers to PFD strength, not personal protection.
Most states require skiers and PWC riders to wear PFD's while
underway.
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For
the CME, all boats must be equipped with a wearable
PFD for each person on board. There must be a minimum
of two PFDs even if there is only one person on board
(one wearable PFD and one Type IV). Boats 16 feet long
and over are required to have a minimum of two wearable
PFDs plus a Type IV.
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