Safety should be on the top of every boaters' checklist before heading out for a day of fun on the water. The United States Coast Guard sets minimum standards for safety equipment required to be on board all recreational boats. The personal flotation devices on board must be USCG approved and in good, serviceable condition in order to meet federal regulations.
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 four different types of wearable flotation devices, Type I, II, III and V. Be sure to choose the appropriate types for you and your passengers according to your boating environment. They must be readily accessible and able to be put on within a reasonable amount of time in case of an emergency. They should never be kept in plastic bags or a locked box, and should always be stored free of any other gear on top of them. Although not required by law, it is best for every passenger to wear a PFD at all times while the vessel is underway.
Type I, an off-shore jacket, is effective in all waters. Because it provides the most buoyancy of available PFD's it is more appropriate for open waters where rescue may be delayed. It has a turning action that keeps wearers face-up in the water, even if they are unconscious. There are two sizes available, 22 pounds buoyancy for adults, and 11 pounds buoyancy for children.
A type II PFD, or a near-shore jacket, is meant for use in calm, inland waters. Although it does have the turning action like a Type I, it is not quite as effective and may fail to turn some unconscious boaters face up. It is available in three sizes, 15.5 pounds buoyancy for adults, 11 for children and 7 for infants and small children.
Type III, a flotation aid, is also designed for inland water use where quick rescue is probable. It carries the same buoyancy rating as the Type II (15.5, 11 and 7 pounds) but does not have any turning action. The wearer must position him or herself face-up and may find it necessary to keep their head tilted back to keep from taking in water. The Type III is not as bulky and considered more comfortable for continuous wear. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, styles and sizes.
A Type V PFD is considered a special use PFD and is intended for specific activities and sports. It can be carried and used as an alternative to the other types, but must be used in a manner consistent to it's USCG labeling. Some type V PFD's protect against hypothermia as well which should be considered if you regularly boat in colder waters.
Lastly, the Type IV PFD is a throwable device. There must be at least one on every vessel over 16 feet in length and it must be visible and accessible at all times. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and held until help arrives. It is not designed to be worn, and is intended for use in high-traffic, calm waters where help is quickly and readily available.
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 four different types of wearable flotation devices, Type I, II, III and V. Be sure to choose the appropriate types for you and your passengers according to your boating environment. They must be readily accessible and able to be put on within a reasonable amount of time in case of an emergency. They should never be kept in plastic bags or a locked box, and should always be stored free of any other gear on top of them. Although not required by law, it is best for every passenger to wear a PFD at all times while the vessel is underway.
Type I, an off-shore jacket, is effective in all waters. Because it provides the most buoyancy of available PFD's it is more appropriate for open waters where rescue may be delayed. It has a turning action that keeps wearers face-up in the water, even if they are unconscious. There are two sizes available, 22 pounds buoyancy for adults, and 11 pounds buoyancy for children.
A type II PFD, or a near-shore jacket, is meant for use in calm, inland waters. Although it does have the turning action like a Type I, it is not quite as effective and may fail to turn some unconscious boaters face up. It is available in three sizes, 15.5 pounds buoyancy for adults, 11 for children and 7 for infants and small children.
Type III, a flotation aid, is also designed for inland water use where quick rescue is probable. It carries the same buoyancy rating as the Type II (15.5, 11 and 7 pounds) but does not have any turning action. The wearer must position him or herself face-up and may find it necessary to keep their head tilted back to keep from taking in water. The Type III is not as bulky and considered more comfortable for continuous wear. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, styles and sizes.
A Type V PFD is considered a special use PFD and is intended for specific activities and sports. It can be carried and used as an alternative to the other types, but must be used in a manner consistent to it's USCG labeling. Some type V PFD's protect against hypothermia as well which should be considered if you regularly boat in colder waters.
Lastly, the Type IV PFD is a throwable device. There must be at least one on every vessel over 16 feet in length and it must be visible and accessible at all times. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and held until help arrives. It is not designed to be worn, and is intended for use in high-traffic, calm waters where help is quickly and readily available.
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