• Inflatable Type I PFDs—SOLAS and
Domestic
• Hybrid Type I PFDs—US Services
• Designed to turn an unconscious wearer
face-up
NEAR-SHORE LIFE JACKET / TYPE II
PFD: For general boating activities. Good
for calm, inland waters, or where there is a
good chance for fast rescue.
• Inherently Buoyant Type II PFDs
• Inflatable Type II PFDs
• Hybrid Type II PFDs
• Will roll most wearers face-up
BUOYANCY AIDS / TYPE III PFDS: For
general boating or the specialized activity
that is marked on the device such as impact
rating for water skiing and personal water
craft, hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking
and others. Good for calm, inland waters,
or where there is a good chance for fast rescue.
Designed so that wearing it will complement
your boating activities:
• Inherently Buoyant Type III PFDs
• Inflatable Type III PFDs
• Hybrid Type III PFDs
• NOT designed to roll wearers face-up
THROWABLE BUOYANCY AID / TYPE
IV: Intended for use anywhere, available
and ready at the helm or close by aboard
boats. It is designed to be thrown to a
person in the water and grasped and held
by the user until rescued. Type IV devices
include USCG approved:
• Buoyant cushions
• Ring buoys
• Horseshoe buoys
• An attached, buoyant, retrieving line aids
recovery and is recommended
SPECIAL USE DEVICES / TYPE V: Only
for special uses or conditions. See label for
limits of use:
• Hybrid Inflatable PFDs
• Canoe/Kayak Vest
• Boardsailing Vests
• Deck Suits
• Work Vests for
Commercial Vessels
• Commercial Whitewater Vests
• Man-Overboard Rescue Devices
• Law Enforcement Flotation Devices
• Not designed to roll wearers face-up
INFORMATION ON
WEARING AND
CARING FOR LIFE
JACKETS (PFD)
BUOYANCY: Most adults only need an
extra seven to twelve pounds of buoyancy
to keep their heads above water. A PFD can
give that “extra lift,” and it’s made to keep
you floating until help comes. But a PFD is
a personal flotation device and it’s important
to get the right one for you.
Your weight isn’t the only factor in
finding out how much “extra lift” you need
in water. Body fat, lung size, clothing, and
whether the water is rough or calm, all play
a part.
Read the label on your PFD to be sure
it’s made for people your weight and size.
Test it as shown in the next section. Then in
an emergency, don’t panic. Relax, put your
head back and let your PFD help you come
out on top.
TRY ON YOUR LIFE JACKET / PFD:
• Try on your PFD to see if it fits comfortably
snug. Then test it in shallow water to
see how it handles.
• Demonstrations of proper sizing and
fastener adjustments, then lifting the
PFD shoulders to test the fit during
boat education is encouraged, especially
during pre-boating briefings.
22 Chapter One
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Figure 2-4. Read the life
jacket label to confirm it
is designed for the type
of boating you intend.
(USCG Photo) 13
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