Safety Vest Requirements

• Accessibility

  All PFDs must be accessible for immediate use. It is strongly recommended that wearables be readily accessible so they can quickly be retrieved even under duress. This means the devices are not in plastic packaging or buried under other gear. Throwables must be ready for instant deployment. If tethered, the line should be kept in a manner that will pay out freely when the PFD is thrown.

• Inflatable PFDs

  Inflatables, while more comfortable and less obtrusive to wear, must be inspected carefully to insure air-bladder integrity. The propellant cartridge must show green at the indicator to be considered a viable PFD and meet the requirements. Inflatables are approved for use by persons over 16 years of age on recreational boats.

• Child PFDs

  Along with the USCG regulations governing all PFD use, some states also require PFD use by children in certain circumstances. Required use depends on factors which include age of the child, size of the vessel and certain vessel operations. A child's PFD can be sized by the weight rating printed on it. Check with your local marine law enforcement or boating safety officials for local statutes governing PFD requirements for a child.

• Special Activities

  Many states require the use of PFDs for certain water activities. Water skiers must use a PFD marked for water-skiing. Personal Water Craft (PWC) operators must use one rated for water-skiing or PWC use. Some areas also require PFDs during white-water operations and while sailboarding. If you are boating under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers or Federal, state or local parks, other rules may apply.

• Materials

  There are three main material classes for PFDs. Inherently, buoyant types are most commonly foam and are available through the whole size range from adult to infant. They come in both wearable and throwable devices and are good for swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Inflatable types offer the best in-water mobility and are the most compact. They are available only in adult sizes and are recommended only for swimmers. Inflatables are not rated for water sports. Hybrid or foam/inflatable combination vests are available for all sizes. These hybrids are recommended for swimmers and non-swimmers alike. They are considered reliable and are rated for water sports.

• PFD Types

  According to the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers' Association (PFDMA), the USCG recommends an extra 7 to 12 lbs. of positive bouyancy to maintain a head out of water position. The Type I PFD provides a minimum of 22 lbs, is ideal for rough weather conditions and will usually roll an unconscious person upright. The Type II is for near-shore use and some will roll an unconscious person upright. A Type III vest is the ski-vest type where rescue is expected to come quickly and are typically the most comfortable of the non-inflatable types. Type IV is a throwable PFD. Typically, a throwable PFD is a seat cushion with handles or a throw-ring with a tether. Type IV devices are not for use with small children or unconscious persons. Type V PFDs are the special use varieties.They include work vests and deck suits and are confined to restricted use.

References & Resources

• U.S. Coast Guard for boating safety information
• PFDMA