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Personal Flotation Devices

All recreational boats must carry one wearable PFD (Type I, II, III or V PFD) for each person aboard. A Type V PFD provides performance of a Type I, II, or III PFD (as marked on its label) and must be used according to the label requirements. Any boat 16ft and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one Throwable PFD (Type IV PFD).

PFDs must be

Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition, and the appropriate size for the intended user.

Accessibility

Wearable PFDs must be readily accessible. You must be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.). They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them. The best PFD is the one you will wear. Though not required, a PFD should be worn at all times when the vessel is underway. A wearable PFD may save your life, but only if you wear it. Throwable devices must be immediately available for use.

Inflatable PFDs

Inflatable PFDs may be more comfortable to wear.
The best PFD is the one you will wear.
Inflatable PFDs require the user to pay careful attention to the condition of the device.
Inflatable PFDs must have a full cylinder and all status indicators on the inflated must be green, or the device is NOT serviceable, and does NOT satisfy the requirement to carry PFDs.
Coast Guard Approved Inflatable PFDs are authorized only on recreational boats by a person at least 16 years of age.

Child PFD requirements.
Some states require that children wear PFDs

1. Applies to children of specific ages
2. Applies to certain sizes of boats
3. Applies to specific boating operations

Check with your state boating safety officials.

Child PFD approvals are based on the child's weight. Check the "User Weight" on the label, or the approval statement that will read something like "Approved for use on recreational boats and uninspected commercial vessels not carrying passengers for hire, by persons weighing __ lbs". They can be marked "less than 30", "30 to 50", "less than 50", or "50 to 90".
PFD requirements for certain boating activities under state laws

The Coast Guard recommends and many states require wearing PFDs:

For water skiing and other towed activities (use a PFD marked for water skiing).
While operating personal watercraft (PWC) (use a PFD marked for water skiing or PWC use). During white water boating activities.
While sailboarding (under Federal law, sailboards are not "boats").

Check with your state boating safety officials.

Federal law does not require PFDs on racing shells, rowing sculls and racing kayaks.
State laws vary. Check with your state boating safety officials.
If you are boating in an area under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, or a federal, state, or Local Park authority, other rules may apply.

Remember, PFDs will keep you from sinking, but not necessarily from drowning

Select a properly sized PFD to insure a safe and proper fit.
Test your PFD by wearing it in shallow water or guarded swimming pool to see how it will float you.
Coast Guard Auxiliary U.S. Power Squadrons Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Requirements for PFDs
All boats must be equipped with a wearable PFD for each person on board.
Boats 16 feet and over are required to have a minimum of two PFDs on board, one wearable PFD (Type I, II, III, or V) and one Throwable (Type IV). In addition, a wearable PFD is required for each person on board.

PFD Flotation

There are three basic kinds of PFD flotation in the five types of PFDs with the following characteristics:

Inherently Buoyant (primarily Foam)

1. The most reliable Adult, Youth, Child, and Infant sizes
2. For swimmers & non-swimmers Wearable & Throwable styles
3. Some designed for water sports

Minimum Buoyancy

Wearable Size	Type	Inherent Buoyancy	(Foam)
Adult	II & III V	15.5 lb, & 15.5 to 22 lb.	Yes
Youth	II & III, & V	11 lb, 11 to 15.5 lb.	Yes
Child, and Infant	II	7 lb.	Yes
Throwable	Cushion, Ring Buoy IV	20 lb 16.5 & 32 lb	Yes

Inflatable

The most compact

Sizes only for adults
Only recommended for swimmers
Wearable styles only
Some with the best in-water-performance
Minimum Buoyancy

Wearable Size	Type	Inherent Buoyancy
Adult	I & II, III, & V	34 lb., 22.5 lb. & 34 lb.

Hybrid (Foam & Inflation)

Reliable
Adult, Youth, and Child sizes
For swimmers & non-swimmers
Wearable styles only
Some designed for water sports

Hybrid (Foam & Inflation)

Wearable Size	Type	Inherent Buoyancy	Inflated Total Buoyancy
Adult	II, III, & V	10 lb., 7.5 lb., 22 lb.	22 lb.
Youth	II, III, & V	9 lb., 7.5 lb., 15 lb.	15 lb.
Child	II	7 lb.	12 lb.

Types of PFDs

A TYPE I PFD or OFFSHORE LIFE JACKET provide the most buoyancy. It is effective for all waters, especially open, rough or remote waters where rescue may be delayed. It is designed to turn most unconscious wearers in the water to a face-up position.

A TYPE II PFD or NEAR-SHORE BUOYANCY VEST is intended for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. Inherent buoyant PFDs of this type will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as a Type I. this type of inflatable turns as well as a Type I foam PFD.

A TYPE III PFD or FLOTATION AID is good for conscious users in calm, inland water, or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. It is designed so wearers can place themselves in a face-up position in the water. The wearer may have to tilt their head back to avoid turning facedown in the water. The Type III foam vest has the same minimum buoyancy as a Type II PFD. It comes in many styles, colors, and sizes and is generally the most comfortable type for continuous wear. Float coats, fishing vests, and vests designed with features suitable for various sports activities are examples of this type PFD. This type inflatable turns as well as a Type II foam PFD.

A TYPE IV PFD or THROWABLE DEVICE is intended for calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic, where help is always present. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held by the user until rescued -- It is not designed to be worn. Type IV devices include buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. There are no inflatable Type IV devices.

A TYPE V PFD or SPECIAL USE DEVICE is intended for specific activities and may be carried instead of another PFD only if used according to the approval condition(s) on its label. A Type V PFD provides performance of a Type I, II, or III PFD (as marked on its label). If the label says the PFD is "approved only when worn" the PFD must be worn, except for persons in enclosed spaces and used in accordance with the approval label, to meet carriage requirements. Some Type V devices provide significant hypothermia protection. Varieties include deck suits, work vests, and board sailing vests.

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