Before you head out for a day of adventure on your boat, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements for PFD’s or, personal flotation devices. The USCG sets the minimum standards for these devices and their requirements for all recreational boats. It is important that they be in good working condition and free from rips, tears or weakened straps.
All recreational boats are required, by law, to have a minimum of two PFD’s on board a one-person boat, and one for each additional person. All vessels 16 feet or longer, with the exception of canoes and kayaks, must have at least one throwable (or Type IV) PFD on board.
There are different PFD’s for different boating environments. When shopping for safety equipment for your boat, be sure to choose the correct PFD for you intended boating environment and your passenger’s needs. PFD’s should never be stored in plastic bags, locked or closed compartments or under any other gear. They must be available and able to be put on quickly in the event of an emergency.
A Type I, also called an off-shore jacket, is effective for all waters. It provides the most buoyancy which makes it preferable in open or rough waters, especially where rescue may take more time. It is designed to keep wearers in a face-up position in the water, even if they are not conscious. It comes in two sizes, 22 pounds buoyancy for adults and 11 for children.
Type II, a near-shore jacket, is designed for use in calm, inland waters. It does have the turning action, but because the minimum buoyancy is lower, it is not quite as effective and may not turn every wearer face-up in the event that they are knocked unconscious. It is available in adult, children and infant sizes.
A type III PFD, also known as a flotation aid, is also intended for use in calm, inland water where there is a good chance you will be rescued quickly if necessary. It does not have any turning action to keep the wearer face up. It has the same buoyancy rating as a type II but is generally more comfortable for continuous wear. It is probably the most popular of the PFD types, comes in many different styles, sizes and colors and often with available features suitable for water sports and activities such as water skiing and fishing.
A Type V PFD is a special use PFD intended for specific activities. It is the least bulky and contains a small amount of buoyancy and an inflatable chamber. Some Type V PFD’s are able to provide protection against hypothermia as well.
A throwable device, or Type IV, is not to be worn as a PFD. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and held on to until help arrives. It should be used in high-traffic, inland waterways where help is available quickly. Federal requirements state that every vessel 16 feet or longer, with the exception of canoes and kayaks) have at least one throwable device on board that is visible and 100% accessible at all times.
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