Choose a
Life Jacket
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WHAT KIND OF LIFE JACKET SHOULD YOU WEAR?
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| Type I
- Off-shore Life Jacket
- 22 pounds of buoyancy.
- Inflatable and Inherently buoyant types.
Where to use
- Open, rough, or remote water, where rescue may be slow in coming.
- Although it’s permitted, a Type I life jacket may be too bulky to allow you to paddle.
Where to use
- Floats best.
- Turns most unconscious wearers face-up in the water.
- Highly visible color.
Disadvantages
Sizes
- Only two sizes to fit most children and adults.
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Type II
- Near-shore Buoyant Vest
- 15.5 pounds of buoyancy.
- Inflatable and Inherently buoyant types.
Where to use
- Good for calm, inland water, or where you have a good chance of a fast rescue.
Where to use
- Turns many, but not all, unconscious wearers face-up in water.
- Less bulky, more comfortable than Type I.
Disadvantages
- Not designed for long hours in rough water.
- Will not turn some unconscious wearers face-up in the water.
Sizes
- Infant
- Child-small
- Child-medium
- Adult
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Type III
- Flotation Aid
- 15.5 pounds of buoyancy
- Inflatable and Inherently buoyant types
Where
- Good for calm, inland water or where you have a good chance of fast rescue.
Advantages
- Generally the most comfortable for continuous wear because of the freedom of movement for activities such as:
- personal watercraft
- water skiing
- paddling
- small boat sailing
- fishing
Disadvantages
- Not for extended use in rough water.
- Wearer may have to tilt head back to avoid face-down position in the water.
Sizes
- Many individual sizes from child-small to adult.
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Type IV
Where
- Good for calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic, where help is always nearby.
Advantages
- Can be thrown to someone.
- Good back-up to wearable PFD.
Disadvantages
- Not for unconscious persons.
- Not for non-swimmers or children.
- Not good for many hours in rough water.
Kinds
- Cushions
- Rings
- Horseshoe buoys
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Type V
Where
- Required to be worn for special uses or conditions.
Advantages
- Made for specific activities.
- sailboarding
- rafting vests
- deck suits
- work vests
- hybrid PFDs and others.
Disadvantages
- See label for limited use.
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Type V
- Inflatable and Hybrid Devices
- combine inherently buoyant material with an inflatable bladder
Where
- Required to be worn to meet legal requirements and must be used only for approved activities.
Advantages
- Comfortable.
- Least bulky of all types.
- High flotation when inflated.
- Good for continuous wear.
- Equal to either Type I, II, or III performance, as noted on the label.
- Choice between manual (pull) and oral inflation systems.
- Turns most unconscious wearers face-up in the water after inflation.
Disadvantages
- May not adequately float some wearers unless partially inflated.
- Requires correct use and regular checks and maintenance of the inflation system.
- Only some brands are U.S. Coast Guard approved.
- Not recommended for non-swimmers and not intended for use while water skiing or on personal watercraft.
Kinds
- Proper use of inflatable life jackets, including appropriate age limits, vary by manufacturer.
- Please review the owner’s manual and information pamphlet carefully before purchasing an inflatable PFD.
- Hybrid life jackets are available in adult and child sizes.
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Some things to remember:
To make sure that your PFDs remain in good condition.
- Do not alter the PFDs.
- An altered PFD no longer meets legal requirements and may not save your life.
- Do not place heavy objects on PFDs during storage.
- Do not use PFDs as kneeling pads, boat fenders, or seat cushions because they lose buoyancy when they’re crushed.
- Let PFDs air-dry thoroughly before putting them away.
- Always store your PFDs in a well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight.
- Never dry your PFDs by a direct heat source, such as a dryer, heater, or radiator.
- Before wearing, check PFDs for signs of wear and age.
- Look for rips or tears, mildew, loose or missing straps, frayed webbing, broken zippers or buckles, and hardened stuffing.
A PFD with any of these problems must be replaced.
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