This piece was contributed by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC). Organized in 1958, their mission is to reduce accidents and enhance the boating experience. The NSBC is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education. To learn more about the National Safe Boating Council, visit their web site at SafeBoatingCouncil.org.
Inherently Buoyant
PFDs: Put your life jacket on. It should fit properly with all zippers, straps, ties
and snaps correctly secured. Ease yourself into the water or walk into water up to your
neck. Lift your legs and tilt your head back, in a relaxed floating position. Your mouth
should be out of the water and you should float comfortably without any physical effort.
If the life jacket rides up, try securing it tighter to your body. If it still rides up,
you may need a different style. You should be comfortable and able to swim without
significant restriction. You should have someone else to act as a lifeguard or assistant
if you are uncomfortable with being in the water or are trying this activity for the first
time.
Inflatable PFDs: If you do not wish to test the CO2 inflation system, remove the
CO2 cylinder (and if the PFD has an automatic feature, remove the water-sensing element).
Put your life jacket on and fully inflate it. Then test it like an inherently buoyant PFD.
Because of the design, ride-up is generally not an issue with inflatable PFDs. The
amount of buoyancy provided with inflatable PFDs will probably require the user to swim
using some form of side or backstroke, as it will be difficult to swim on your stomach
when the PFD is properly secured.
For more information, contact:
U.S. Coast Guard Customer Infoline
1-800-368-5647
or
Virgil
Chambers, Executive Director
National Safe
Boating Council
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