SAFETY INFORMATION 11
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
Federal regulations require that you
have at least one Coast Guard approved
personal flotation device (PFD) for each
person in a recreational boat and re-
quire that all children under 13 years of
age wear a PFD at all times when the
boat is underway, except when below
deck or in an enclosed cabin. You may
not use your boat unless all PFDs are in
serviceable condition, readily accessi-
ble, legibly marked with the Coast
Guard approval number, and of an ap-
propriate size (within the weight range
and chest size marked on the PFD) for
each person on board.
A PFD provides buoyancy to help keep
your head above the water and to help
you remain in a satisfactory position
while in the water. Body weight and
age should be considered when select-
ing a PFD. The buoyancy provided by
the PFD should support your weight in
water. The size of the PFD should be
appropriate for the wearer. Body
weight and chest size are common
methods used to size PFDs. It is your
responsibility to ensure that you have
the proper number and types of PFDs
on board to comply with federal and lo-
cal regulations and that your passen-
gers know where they are and how to
use them.
PFD Types
Five types of PFDs have been ap-
proved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
PFD Type I, Wearable has the greatest
required buoyancy. Its design allows
for turning most unconscious persons
in the water from face down position
to a vertical or slightly backward, face-
up position. It can greatly increase the
chances of survival. Type I is most ef-
fective for all waters, especially off-
shore when rescue may be delayed. It
is also the most effective in rough wa-
ters.
TYPE I — WEARABLE
PFD Type II, Wearable turns its wearer
in the same way as Type I, but not as
effectively. The Type Il does not turn as
many persons under the same condi-
tions as a Type I. You may prefer to use
this PFD where there is a probability of
quick rescue such as in areas where
other people are commonly involved in
water activities.
TYPE II — WEARABLE
PFD Type III, Wearable allows wearers
to place themselves in a vertical or
slightly backward position. It does not
turn the wearer. It maintains the wear-
er in a vertical or slightly backward po-
sition and has no tendency to turn the
wearer face down. It has the same
buoyancy as a Type Il PFD and may be
appropriate in areas where other peo-
ple are commonly involved in water ac-
tivities.
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