How to Choose The Right Personal Flotation Device!

Boating accident studies reveal that most drowning deaths occur when individuals are not wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). The importance of PFDs has been further supported by a significant decrease in drowning fatalities since the U.S. Coast Guard approved the highly popular Type III general flotation aid as an acceptable PFD.

While all PFDs have limitations, most can successfully prevent a drowning death if they meet basic criteria such as:

• The PFD must be readily available


• The PFD functions to keep the wearer's head out of water


• The PFD must be durable and reliable enough to perform when needed

PFDs are classified into 5 different types. These divisions are based on use and overall protection provided.

Type I PFDs / Off-Shore Life Jackets—These are the best overall PFDs, and should be used in the open ocean, rough seas, remote waters and where rescue may be slow in coming.

Type II PFDs / Near-Shore Buoyant Vests—Type II vests are for general boating activities, and can be used in calm inland waters, or where there is a good chance of fast rescue.

Type III PFDs / Flotation Aids— A common flotation vest, a Type III PFD is for general boating in specialized recreational activities, and are marked accordingly.

Type IV PFDs / Throwable Devices—Unlike the previous vests, these PFDs are designed to be thrown to someone stranded in the water. Typical Type IV devices are Ring Buoys. Also available are Flotation Cushions.

Type V PFDs / Special Use Devices—While these devices apear similar to other types, they are specalized for such uses as work vests, man-overboard rescue devices, law enforcement flotation devices and whitewater vests.

Untimately, the safest PFD is one a person is willing to wear at all times.

For more information on Personal Flotation Devices and water safety, see the U. S. Coast Guard website.
http://www.uscg.mil/