Bertram 540 - Pfds - Personal Flotation Devices and Life-Saving Equipment

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SAFETY DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT
Studio ti 03312 540-04usa
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12.3 PFD’s - PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES AND
LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT
All personal flotation devices (to be worn or thrown) used on the yacht
must be approved by the relevant Authorities. In the U.S., the Federal
Government, through the U.S. Coast Guard, specifies the requirements
for PFD’s and other required safety equipment to be carried aboard
recreational vessels (supplied or not).
If the vessel is not used commercially, PFDs may be type I, II, or III.
If the vessel is to be used commercially, and will be carrying six or more
passengers for hire, the PFDs must be type I.
Do not hesitate to ask people to wear the individual flotation devices.
They can be worn with any weather conditions, during navigation, at dock
or during anchor riding.
People can fall overboard at any time.
− People who cannot swim and children must always wear an individual
flotation device.
− People working on deck must always wear an individual flotation
device.
− PFD’s should be worn on deck when underway in cold waters (water
temperatures below 20 °C/68 °F).
− In any emergency, persons on board should put on their PFD’s.
Inflatable PFD’s are comfortable to wear, and some types will inflate
automatically if the wearer falls overboard.
These PFD’s are excellent safety gear to have for yourself and your
guests. Consider providing self-inflating vests or self-inflating “belt pack”
vests for yourself and your guests. Make sure that all PFD’s are approved
by the appropriate national or international regulatory agencies.
Bertram furnishes type II adult size (90 lbs) PFDs. This type of PFD is
capable of turning its wearer to vertical or slightly backward position in the
water. These PFDs are high visibility orange, comply with all of the USCG
requirements for a type II device, and carry the United States Coast
Guard approval label. Type II PFDs come in four sizes: adult (90 pounds
plus), child large (50 to 90 pounds), child medium (30 to 50 pounds), and
child small (less than 30 pounds).
This type of PFD is donned by placing it over the head with the collar
behind the neck. The waist strap should then be connected and adjusted
to prevent this device from riding up on the wearer.
The technique for donning a PFD should be practiced by everyone, so
that they know where to find them and how to properly don one, even in
the dark or in the water.
The recommended technique for water entry while wearing a PFD is to
wrap both arms as tightly as possible around the wearer’s chest and
under the chin. This protects the face and keeps the PFD from riding up.