Section 2: Required Safety Equipment 23
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• To check the buoyancy of your PFD in the
water, relax your body and let your head tilt
back. Make sure your PFD keeps your chin
above water and you can breathe easily.
• Be aware: your PFD may not act the same
in swift or rough water as in calm water.
The clothes you wear and the items in
your pockets may also change the way
your PFD works.
• If your mouth is not well above the water,
get a new PFD or one with more buoyancy.
• A PFD is designed not to ride-up on the
body when in the water. But, when a
wearer’s stomach is larger than the chest,
ride-up may occur. Before use, test this
PFD in the water to establish that excessive
ride-up does not impair PFD performance.
You may need life jacket “crotch strap”
attachments to keep it from riding-up.
WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET / PFD –
MAKE THE CORRECT DECISION!
• Most drownings occur way out at sea,
right? Wrong! Fact is, 9 out of 10 drownings
occur in inland waters, most within
a few feet of safety. Most of the victims
owned PFDs, but they died without them.
A wearable PFD can save your life, if you
wear it.
• If you haven’t been wearing your PFD
because of the way it makes you look or
feel, there’s good news. Today’s PFDs fit
better, look better and are easy to move
around in.
• One more thing. Before you shove off,
make sure all on board are wearing PFDs.
To work best, PFDs must be worn with
all straps, zippers, and ties fastened. Tuck
in any loose strap ends to avoid getting
hung-up.
• When you don’t wear your PFD, the odds
are against you. You’re taking a chance
on your life.
CARING FOR YOUR LIFE JACKET / PFD:
Follow these points to be sure your PFD
stays in good condition:
1. Don’t alter your PFD. If yours doesn’t
fit, get one that does. Play it safe. An
altered PFD may not save your life.
2. Don’t put heavy objects on your PFD or
use it for a kneeling pad or boat fender.
PFDs lose buoyancy when crushed.
3. Let your PFD drip dry thoroughly
before putting it away. Always stow it
in a well-ventilated place.
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TABLE 2-1. PERSONAL FLOTATION
DEVICE PERFORMANCE LEVELS
• Level 275 — intended primarily for offshore use under extreme conditions.
It is designed to ensure that the user is floating in the correct
position with their mouth and nose clear of the surface.
• Level 150 — intended for general application or for use with foul
weather clothing. It will turn an unconscious person into a safe position
and requires no subsequent action by the user to maintain this position.
• Level 100 — intended for those who may have to wait for rescue, but
are likely to do so in sheltered water. The device should not be used in
rough conditions.
• Level 50 — intended for use by those who are competent swimmers
and who are near bank or shore. They cannot be expected to keep the
user safe for long period of time. They do not have sufficient buoyancy to
protect people who are unable to help themselves. They require active
participation by the user.