About Personal Flotation Devices
Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are used to protect a person from drowning while swimming and boating. These flotation devices can take the form of life jackets, ring life preservers, floating cushions or inflatable vests. The most important aspect of a personal flotation device is that it cannot save a person unless it is worn.
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Significance
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Donning a life jacket in a hurry on a sinking boat or in rough water is much more difficult than fastening yourself securely into a vest on dry land. It simply is not adequate to just have a life jacket on board a vessel. It should be accessible or, better yet, worn at all times while on board. Personal flotation devices work best when they are snugly fitted and fastened properly.
Function
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Personal flotation devices function to aid a swimmer in keeping afloat until rescue. Many PFDs such as ring buoys and throwable cushions were never intended to provide complete flotation. Instead most life jackets and preservers help the swimmer keep their heads above water until help arrives.
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Construction
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Personal flotation devices are designed based on how they will be used during a planned activity. Water ski vests are different than those life jackets used by recreational boaters and the inflatable life vests used on cruise ships. Personal flotation devices are also divided into categories by construction.
Foam is used in the construction of some life vests made for adults, youths, children, and infants. This material floats inherently and is used in life preservers than can be both worn and thrown. Foam PFDs are generally used for simply aiding a swimmer in the water rather than providing complete flotation.
Inflatable life vests differ from foam jackets in that they keep a swimmer's head above water. Some inflatables also will often function to flip a swimmer over if they find themselves face down in the water. A pull cord is used to inflate the life vest with air or the wearer can blow into a tube to inflate the jacket. Inflatable life jackets are compact and are used for adults only.
A hybrid life jacket uses both foam and inflation to provide buoyancy. This type personal flotation device is used in adult and child sized life jackets. Hybrids PFDs are also used in hypothermia suits and life jackets used on offshore vessels.
Considerations
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The U.S. Coast Guard requires life jackets for every passenger on a vessel longer than 16 feet operating in U.S. waters, stored in an easily accessible place. In addition, life vests are listed as USCG approved. This means that the PFD meets minimum Coast Guard requirements. It's best to check PFDs for wear every year and make sure life vests fit properly, especially for children. Each jacket has a specific weight requirement.
Life jacket straps should never be altered. If PFDs get wet, air dry them completely. Don't crush or bury the life vests under mounds of equipment. This could tear or damage the fabric and filling of the jacket. Always make sure to follow the care instructions on the label of the PFD.
Types
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Personal flotation devices are divided into type categories based on buoyancy and situational effectiveness.
Type I PFDs are used in offshore activities and provide the most buoyancy, even in rough water. Type I devices are designed to flip most unconscious swimmers into a face-up position. This is the best type of life preserver for situations in which rescue will be delayed.
Type II personal flotation devices are recommended for use in calm, inland water. Aptly called a near-buoyant life vest, these are best used in instances of quick rescues. Some unconscious wearers will turn face up using Type II life vests but not all.
Type III life vests are also used in calm inland waters with resulting quick rescue. Type III life jackets may require the wearer to tilt their head back to prevent face-down immersion in the water. The minimum buoyancy is the same as Type II preservers. Specially designed water sport life jackets fall into this category.
Type IV PFDs include throwable devices used in calm inland waters. These life preservers are throwable rings and cushions used to aid a struggling swimmer until rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard requires all vessels longer than 16 feet to have a throwable rescue device on board at all times.
Type V personal flotation devices include heavy-duty life saving vests, jackets, and clothing worn aboard sailing and fishing vessels. Many provide hypothermia protection. In most cases, the presence of Type V PFDs does not preclude having standard life jackets on board the vessel.
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