Personal floatation devices or PFDs are life saving
devices and they are required by the state and the federal
government to be on board for every passenger you have on
the boat.
There are many considerations when you select a PFD.
Federal regulations mandate states that do not have life jacket
laws. Today, there are
four states that are mandated because they do not have a set law.
This mandate by the federal government requires children under the
age of 13 to wear an approved personal floatation device while
using a speed boat. A
child doesn’t have to use a floatation device if they are in a
closed cabin or below decks on your speed boat.
There are many dangerous conditions that you should wear a PFD.
All passengers on the boat should be required to wear PFDs
in these situations also.
Dangerous conditions are considered to be dangerous
weather, local hazards, high boating traffic, far away from shore,
boating at night, and when you are along.
More than 50% of boating accident deaths occur from drowning
victims that are not wearing a personal floatation device.
Any circumstance where you do not feel safe you should put
on your PFD.
Types of PFDs
There are five different types of personal floatation devices.
It is important to know the different types and which one
is right for you. This
will help you learn which vest you should be wearing.
Each device is intended for different use.
The Type I personal floatation device is known as the off-shore
life jacket. This life
jacket is designed to provide the best buoyancy in any type of
waters. When a boater
is unconscious this type of life jacket is designed to turn the
body over to a face up position.
There are two sizes to this PFD; adult size and child size.
A child size PFD type I will provide a minimum of 11 pounds
of buoyancy and the adult size will provide 22 pounds.
This life jacket is best when in rough waters and a long
delay of rescue is expected.
The type II PFD is also known as the near-shore
vest. This life jacket is
best for quick rescues in calm or inland waters.
This type will not turn all wearers of this PFD to a face
up position but some. This
vest is not as efficient as the type I vest.
The type III PFD is known as a floatation aid device.
It is best for calm and inland waters where rescue will be
quick. This device
will not turn people wearing it to a face up position.
The person will have to tilt their head backward so they do
not end up face down in the water.
If you are knocked unconscious wearing this vest it may not
help you.
The type IV PFD is known as a throwable floatation device.
This device is best used for when help is visible and
present and where there is a lot of other boating traffic.
The person will not wear this device but they will hang
onto it until they are rescued.
A type V PFD is known as a special use device.
This is designed for special activities.
These come in different varieties like inflatable devices,
deck suites, work vests, sailing vests and more.
A type V vest will inflate immediately upon entering any
water. Children or
anyone who cannot swim should not wear these floatation devices.
Ensuring Fit
When you wear a PFD you need to ensure it fits you properly.
The proper fit is a snug fit.
The person wearing the device should raise their arms above
their head and you will pull firmly on the upper straps.
This will tighten the life jacket and ensure it is snug.
If the life jacket fits the person properly it will not
ride higher than the person’s ears or mouth.
Floatation Device Labels
All floatation devices that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard
have labels on them.
The labels will specify what the vest’s intended use is supposed
to be. If you choose
to use a floatation device outside of the scope of what it is for
then you could be ticketed because it is against the law.
In addition, it could cost someone the loss of their life.
