When it comes to your safety on the water there is nothing more important than choosing the correct PFD (Personal Flotation Device). Not only are PDF’s a smart thing to have on your boat, all states require a certified PDF for each person on your boat. Hopefully you will never need to use a PFD, but if an emergency happens, you need to be sure that you and all the people on your boat will be be safe. Choosing the right Life Vest, Life Jacket, or Other PFD’s comes down to your specific body size and the type of activity you will be doing. But before we can do that you need to understand the differences in they types of PFD’s. Below we will talk about the different types of PFD’s, how and when to use them, and how to get a good fit, to achieve maximum safety.
Difference Between PFD’s and Life Jackets
Basically any flotation device that is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, or whatever nation you live in organization, can be labeled a PFD. The difference comes in how the PFD act in the water. Life Jackets (or Vests) are designed to usually turn an unconscious person face up, where a PFD does not. We will show examples of this later on. These designs usually have more floatation, or air bladders, in the front of the jacket. The Jackets tend to be the first choice of many boaters when they are required to have a PFD for every person on the boat. Although most states have regulations on how many PFDs you will need on your boat, to my knowledge none of they state the type required unless it is a commercial vessel.
Types of PDFs
The U.S. Coast Guard has 5 type classifications for PFDs. They are simply classified as Type 1 through Type 5. There are some variations within the types, and we will cover some of these.
Type I PFD –
Type I PFDs offer the most buoyancy and overall coverage for the wearer. What this means is that the Type I has a minimum of 22lbs. of flotation, and the jacket protects the person from the elements and cold more so than any other type of PFD. They tend to be very bulky and do not lend themselves to be swimming friendly. They are mainly designed for people that are in larger rougher bodies of water in which it could take a while for them to be rescued. Because this is designed to flip a person face up this can also be considered a Life jacket. Even though this type is designed for more of an off shore application, there is nothing stopping you from getting this type of PFD for small calmer bodies of water, to give you and your family ultimate piece of mind. It really comes down to personal preference. an Example of a Type I PFD is shown below.
Type II PFD –
Type II PFDs for the most part are the same as a type I PFD except they are designed for more of a small calm body of water, where a rescue can happen quite quickly. Type II PFDs require a minimum of 15lbs. of flotation. They are usually small than a Type I PFD so swimming is easier to do. Most of the Type II Jackets will flip a person face up so they can be considered Life Jackets. Most of these styles of Jackets are foam filled but there are other kinds of jackets that are filled with air.
- Auto inflation Life Jackets – This kind of Jacket uses a compressed air charge to inflate the jacket when the person becomes submerged in the water. The water triggers the charge and the vest inflates on its own. This kind of Jacket does require regular maintenance to make sure that it will function properly when the time comes. One advantage to these is that they are very comfortable to wear while boating, while still offering up to 22lbs of floatation.
- Manual inflation Life Jacket – These are a lot like the Auto Inflation Jackets except that you have to blow into a receptacle that is built in to the jacket, to inflate the vest when needed. So to do this you may need a little lung power to fill it up. This kind of inflation jacket is not meant for poor swimmers. The situation may require the person wearing it to have to red water for a few minuets before being able to blow the jacket up. This jacket also requires periodic maintenance to make sure it functions properly. Although there can be quite a price difference between the two Jackets most people opt to pay more for the auto inflation.
Type III PFD –
Type III PFDs are probably the most comfortable of the first three types. And like Type II they have the minimum of 15lbs. of flotation in them. Because they primarily used for recreational activities in the water the are fairly form fitting and pretty easy to swim in. The biggest down fall of this type is that they do not flip a person face up. You will have to be able to position yourself in a an upward position. Also because of this and the minimal amount of floatation, these PFDs are primarily for quick rescue situations. Also they are not suited for rough water scenarios. Although they will keep a poor swimmer afloat they are not ideal for them, due to the coordination needed to maintain an upright, face up, position, so be aware of this.
Type IV –
One of the first things you will notice about Type IV PFDs is that you do not wear them. This type of PFD is meant to be thrown to a conscious person that can pull themselves up on it and put their arms through the straps. These PFDs will have somewhere between 16-18.5 lbs. of flotation material. It is always a good idea to have at least one of these on your boat. But do not sit on them. They look like a great cushion but by sitting on them you will ruin the floatation properties of the PFD.
If you need to help a person that is struggling in the water, these are the safest PFDs that you can use. Not only will they help the person float in the water but they will also keep you out of harms way. The worst thing you can do, if you are not trained, is to jump in the water to help a person that is struggling. Due to shear fear, and self preservation, the person will pull you under the water. Even if it is a child, the adrenalin that person is creating will make them unbelievably strong. If you can’t touch the bottom throw them a Type IV PFD. I can’t stress this enough. I was a trained lifeguard in Highschool and College and I have seen this exact thing happen. You can’t save someone if you are under water also.
Type V –
Type V PFDs are the least common type of floatation devices. The reason for this is because these are usually designed for specific activities. A prime example of this is a vest that is made for kayaking. they are made to have the foam only is certain places as to not restrict the paddling motion of the kayaker. they may also have a ring on them that allows for a person to be hooked out of the water. Others would be a float jacket. Fishermen who wade out into faster moving water, like a river or larger creek, may use this type. Depending on the type or company making the PFD it can have anywhere from 15- 22 lbs. of flotation in the PFD. Some may flip you face up and some do not. When looking at this type of PFD due your research to determine which will be the best for you.
How to properly fit a Type I – III PFD –
To properly fit a PFD to your body, all you need to do is follow some basic steps.
- Place the PFD over your head and put your arms though the arm holes if they are available.
- Loosen all the connecting straps on the PFD.
- Connect the straps together in the front.
- If you have an PFD that just goes over your head, then take the strap and wrap it around behind you and connect the strap in the front.
- Grab the loose ends of the straps and pull on them until the PFD fits snug against your body.
- If the jacket is still loose on your body with the straps pulled to the end you will need to switch to a smaller jacket.
- Once the Jacket or Neck style PFD is snug lift your arms slightly above your head, and have another person grab the shoulder area of the jacket and lift.
- If the jacket lifts up to your chin, the jacket is to large for you. When lifted the jacket will rise a little bit but if it only stops when it hits your chin, this will create an unsafe condition. You will need a smaller Jacket. A strap could be used that goes from the back of the jacket to the front that runs between your legs. Use this strap if needed to get a more custom fit.