the device. Buoyancy aids shall at least be
suitable for sheltered waters, but at higher
performance levels may be suitable for
some users in other waters.
• Special-purpose life jackets and buoyancy
aids—these devices perform as life
jackets and buoyancy aids with different
levels of support but have modifi cations
related to special applications for use.
These applications shall be stated on their
label to maintain essential requirements.
The 2018 labels use symbols and icons along
with text to better serve those selecting a life
jacket. Figure 2-2 is example of the front
and back of the new labels. Helpful notes are
highlighted in magenta and intended to help
boaters understand the label.
The objective of the life jacket is to
save lives by keeping the head above water
to allow breathing. The life jackets designed
with larger buoyancy (new levels 100-275)
will raise you higher in the water allowing
survival and comfort in heavy seas. Lower
numbers (new levels 50-100) are for calmer,
near or inshore boating.
Choose a life jacket that is approved
by the USCG for your intended type
of boating. Life jackets come in special
designs. Those for paddle-boaters have
large arm openings to facilitate paddling.
PFDs for high speed boating such as water
skiing, tubing, knee boarding and personal
watercraft require more straps and buckles
with less bulk. These design features will
keep the jacket on the boater in the event
the boater falls into the water at high speeds.
Yes, there are also PFDs for pets. All life
jackets should have attached a whistle and
light, and be made of high visibility colored
material to help recovery operations. Open
ocean life jackets should have refl ective tape
to help with night recovery. THE BEST
LIFE JACKET IS THE ONE THAT WILL BE
WORN ALL THE TIME!
Try it on and fasten all zippers, belts
and snaps. Pull up on the jacket shoulders to
ensure that it does not ride up and interfere
with movement or breathing. Inspect before
every boating outing to be sure that there
are no rips or tears, the seams are intact, and
Section 2: Required Safety Equipment 21
that all fasteners work properly. After the life
jacket appropriate for your boating activity
has been selected, and fasteners adjusted to
fi t you, wear it while boating. If you remove
your sized and adjusted life jacket, label the
life jacket with your name for easy identifi -
cation and keep it near you.
The life jackets are designed for the type of
boating activity and must have a label showing
U.S. Coast Guard approval.
The label will provide:
• user weight information,
• chest size design,
• performance level from (50 to 275, considering
rescue time near shore to off
shore),
• ability to turn an unconscious person
face-up,
• NOT Acceptable use warning icons,
• USCG approval statement, and
• manufacturer’s information.
Notices of risk management, design type,
and maintenance information are also
included. (Figure 2-2 refl ects the labels coming
into use in 2018.)
RECREATIONAL BOATING
LIFE JACKET (PFD)
Transition to the new life jacket labels
may take place over several years. PFDs
with pre-2014 labels are useable as long
as they are serviceable. The new life jacket
labels refl ect “performance levels” from
50 to 275, as presented in TABLE 2-1
OFF-SHORE LIFE JACKETS / TYPE I
PFDS: Best for all waters, open-ocean,
rough seas, or remote water where arrival
of rescue teams may be slow. This life
jacket is the abandon-ship life jacket for
commercial vessels and all vessels carrying
passengers for hire:
• Inherently Buoyant Type I PFDs—
SOLAS Service
• Inherently Buoyant Type I PFDs —U.S.
Service
7c
7d
7e
7f
7g
8
8a
8b
8c
8d
8e
8f
8g
8h
8i
9
10
11
12
Figure 2-3. Boating is fun,
always wear a life jacket /
PFD. (USCG Photo)
Lifesaving Tip:
Attach a “police
type” whistle and
water-proof light to
every life jacket. The
whistle will be useful
in restricted visibility
operations and both
will aid in locating
and recovery of
persons overboard.