PFD. If the PFD fits correctly, the child’s
chin and ears will not slip through.
PFDs are not babysitters. Even though
a child wears a PFD when on or near the
water, an adult should also always be present.
Parents should remember that inflatable
toys and rafts should not be used in
place of PFDs.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE—Match the
child’s weight to the capacity on the Life
Jacket (PFD) label. Since infants and children
come in many sizes and shapes, the
U.S. Coast Guard and personal flotation
device (PFD) manufacturers urge that PFDs
be tested immediately after purchase. The
correctly sized life jacket should minimally
have Near Shore / Type II characteristics and
include features such as crotch straps. You
should test your PFD in a swimming pool
with the infant or child who will be wearing
the PFD. Just because it works for one
infant or child does not mean it will work
for another in the same manner. Check for
proper weight range, comfortable fit, and
especially a stable face-up position in water.
Infants and children are difficult to float in a
face-up position because of the distribution
of body weight and the tendency for them
to struggle or attempt to climb out of the
water. Some infants and children float best
in one style of vest, while others will float
better in another. If one does not work well,
try another style. Remember: never leave an
infant or child unattended on a dock, on a
boat or in-the-water, even if they are wearing
their life jacket / PFD.
The manufacturers of child and infant
PFD can be found currently listed online in
our CGMIX equipment list at: http://cgmix.
uscg.mil/Equipment/EquipmentSearch.
aspx. Use the keyword “infant” or “child.”
Many can be found in stores that carry
a good line of boating accessories. There
are also a number of online sources where a
life jacket may be purchased.
(Paragraphs 90 is left blank intentionally. )
(Paragraphs 91-97 are on page 25.)
(Paragraphs 98-104 left blank intentionally)
26 Chapter One
Figure 2-8. Portable dry
chemical fire extinguishers.
AB (left), ABC (middle), BC
(right).
Tip: A Size I fire extinguisher typically
has enough chemical for only 9
to 10 seconds of spray. Make sure you
have more than the minimum number
of extinguishers aboard and that they
are located where you can readily get to
them.
Figure 2-7. Type “A” fire
extinguisher is best used on
a fire that results in an ASH
residue after a fire, therefore
the “A” in ASH for Type A fire
extinguisher. Type “B” fire
extinguisher is best used on a
fire that results in a BOIL of
flammable liquids, therefore
the “B” in BOIL for Type B
fire extinguisher. Type “C” fire
extinguisher is best used on a
fire that results in an electrical
CURRENT, therefore the “C”
in CURRENT for Type C fire
extinguisher.
88
89
86
87
/EquipmentSearch
/EquipmentSearch