TYPE III PFD

Did you know that it is a federal regulation that every boat carry at least one coast guard approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device) for each passenger on that boat? And that the PFDs need to be approved by the United States Coast Guard. Federal law, however, does not require PFDs on racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks; but state laws do vary, and you should check with your state officials.

It's true, and floaties are not going to work. So what do you need to know about choosing a life preserver? First of all, the PFD must fit correctly. If the PFD is too loose, then it may not hold your head above water, and may even impair your ability to swim to safety. If the PFD is too tight, it may be very uncomfortable and the owner may not wish to wear it. Take the time to have your PFD properly adjusted and fitted to your body. Remember, your PFD is YOUR PFD, they call them personal for a reason. Never assume your buddy's PFD will fit you correctly.

It is a good idea when buying a PFD to wear what you would wear while boating. If you commonly wear a jacket, bring the jacket along. The PFD will need to fit safely over the jacket, again, with out being too loose or too tight. If you can pull the vest up to your nose, then the vest is too loose.

The Coast guard also has various types that they use for their approval process. These tell what type of use the PFD is rated for. They are Types I -V.

TYPE I: Offshore Life Jackets
These vests are for rough or far off waters where a rescue may take some time to get to you. They are highly buoyant, and will turn most unconscious people face up in the water.

TYPE II: Near-Shore Vests
These vests are good for calm waters where a quick rescue is likely. Type II vests will turn some unconscious wearers face up in the water, however, they are less effective at doing so than the type I.

TYPE III: Flotation Aids
These vests or full-sleeved jackets are good for calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely. They will not turn an unconscious person face up, and for such reasons they are not recommended for ruff or remote waters. Some Type III PFDs are designed to inflate when you enter the water, giving a greater maneuverability. These vests are often used for water sports.

TYPE IV: Throw-able Devices/Not Wearable
These cushions and ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. They should not be warn and are not for open waters. Their main purpose is to assist a boater who has fallen overboard. Make sure you throw the item NEAR the person, not at them.

TYPE V: Special-Use Devices
These vests, deck suits, hybrid PFDs, and others are designed for a specific activity. Like Type III, some Type V PFDs are designed to inflate when you enter the water. However, due to the specificity of their design, they must be used for an exact purpose in order to be deemed approved by the Coast Guard. In other words, using a Type V PDF for anything other than it's designed purpose will void it's approval.