Life Jacket Facts - The Basics on Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) 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. The Coast Guard sets minimum safety standards for recreational boats and associated safety equipment. To meet these standards some of the equipment must be Coast Guard approved. "Coast Guard Approved Equipment" meets Coast Guard specifications and regulations relating to performance, construction or materials. Personal Flotation Devices Child PFD requirements PFD Flotation Types of PFDs TYPE I PFD, OFF-SHORE LIFE JACKET TYPE II PFD, NEAR-SHORE BUOYANCY VEST TYPE III PFD, FLOTATION AID TYPE IV PFD, THROWABLE DEVICE TYPE V PFD, SPECIAL USE DEVICE Personal Flotation Devices All recreational boats must carry one wearable PFD (Type I, II, III or V PFD) for each person aboard. A Type V PFD provides performance of either a Type I, II, or III PFD (as marked on its label) and must be used according to the label requirements. Any boat 16ft and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one throwable PFD (Type IV PFD). PFDs must be Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition, and the appropriate size for the intended user. Accessibility Wearable PFDs must be readily accessible. 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. The best PFD is the one you will wear. 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. Throwable devices must be immediately available for use. Inflatable PFDs Inflatable PFDs may be more comfortable to wear. The best PFD is the one you will wear. Inflatable PFDs require the user to pay careful attention to the condition of the device. Inflatable PFDs must have a full cylinder and all status indicators on the inflator must be green, or the device is NOT serviceable, and does NOT satisfy the requirement to carry PFDs. Coast Guard Approved Inflatable PFDs are authorized only on recreational boats by a person at least 16 years of age. Child PFD requirements Some states require that children wear PFDs applies to children of specific ages applies to certain sizes of boats applies to specific boating operations Check with your state boating safety officials. Child PFD approvals are based on the child's weight. Check the "User Weight" on the label, or the approval statement that will read something like "Approved for use on recreational boats and uninspected commercial vessels not carrying passengers for hire, by persons weighing __ lbs". They can be marked "less than 30", "30 to 50", "less than 50", or "50 to 90". PFD requirements for certain boating activities under state laws The Coast Guard recommends and many states require wearing PFDs: For water skiing and other towed activities (use a PFD marked for water skiing). While operating personal watercraft (PWC) (use a PFD marked for water skiing or PWC use). During white water boating activities. While sailboarding (under Federal law, sailboards are not "boats"). Check with your state boating safety officials. Federal law does not require PFDs on racing shells, rowing sculls and racing kayaks. State laws vary. Check with your state boating safety officials. If you are boating in an area under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, or a federal, state, or local park authority, other rules may apply. Remember, PFDs will keep you from sinking, but not necessarily from drowning Select a properly sized PFD to insure a safe and proper fit. Test your PFD by wearing it in shallow water or guarded swimming pool to see how it will float you. Coast Guard Auxiliary U.S. Power Squadrons Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Requirements for PFDs All boats must be equipped with a wearable PFD for each person on board. Boats 16 feet and over are required to have a minimum of two PFDs on board, one wearable PFD (Type I, II, III, or V) and one throwable (Type IV). In addition, a wearable PFD is required for each person on board. PFD Flotation There are three basic kinds of PFD flotation in the five types of PFDs with the following characteristics: Inherently Buoyant (primarily Foam) The most reliable Adult, Youth, Child, and Infant sizes For swimmers & non-swimmers Wearable & throwable styles Some designed for water sports Minimum Buoyancy Wearable Size Type Inherent Buoyancy (Foam) Adult I II & III V 22 lb. 15.5 lb. 15.5 to 22 lb. Youth II & III V 11 lb. 11 to 15.5 lb. Child and Infant II 7 lb. Throwable: Cushion Ring Buoy IV 20 lb. 16.5 & 32 lb. Inflatable The most compact Sizes only for adults Only recommended for swimmers Wearable styles only Some with the best in-waterperformancee Minimum Buoyancy Wearable Size Type Inherent Buoyancy Adult I & II III V 34 lb. 22.5 lb. 22.5 to 34 lb. Hybrid (Foam & Inflation) Reliable Adult, Youth, and Child sizes For swimmers & non-swimmers Wearable styles only Some designed for water sports Hybrid (Foam & Inflation) Wearable Size Type Inherent Buoyancy Inflated Total Buoyancy Adult II & III V 10 lb. 7.5 lb. 22 lb. 22 lb. Youth II & III V 9 lb. 7.5 lb. 15 lb. 15 lb. Child II 7 lb. 12 lb. 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. 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. Inherent buoyant PFDs of this type will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as a Type I. This type of inflatable turns as well as a Type I foam PFD. A TYPE III PFD, or FLOTATION AID is good for conscious users in 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 foam vest 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. This type inflatable turns as well as a Type II foam PFD. A TYPE IV PFD, or THROWABLE 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. There are no inflatable Type IV devices. 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(s) on its label. A Type V PFD provides performance of either a Type I, II, or III PFD (as marked on its label). If the label says the PFD is "approved only when worn" the PFD must be worn, except for persons in enclosed spaces and used in accordance with the approval label, to meet carriage requirements. Some Type V devices provide significant hypothermia protection. Varieties include deck suits, work vests, and board sailing vests. Got a question about boating safety? Post your question in one of our Boating Forums! Got a boating safety tip to share with others? Share it in one of our Boating Forums or submit an article about it and have it published right here on BOATOhio.com! Back to the top... 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