by Susan Granato, ABA Boating Safety
and Environmental Liaison
In the fall of 2020,
the US Coast Guard (USCG) reported 767 recreational boating deaths. Of these
victims, 75% died by drowning and 86% of these recreational boaters
were not wearing a life jacket. Therefore, the best decision you can make
is to ensure that every one on board your boat has a life jacket and that
these jackets are worn at all times. By regulation, all recreational boats
must carry one wearable life jacket for each person aboard. In fact, the
slogan for the 2021 North American Safe Boating Campaign is "Wear It", because this simple step could do
the most to reduce boating fatalities. Each year you should inspect your
life jackets to ensure that they meet current USCG standards, that they
fit growing children (and adults), and that they are in good condition.
Purchasing a new life
jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) can be confusing because there
are several flotation types, USCG classifications, and manufacturers. There
are three types of flotation products: foam, inflatable and hybrid PFDs.
Foam PFDs are considered the most reliable, are designed for swimmers and
non-swimmers and USCG approved foam life jackets are available in adult,
youth, child, and infant sizes. Inflatable PFDs are the most compact, are
intended only for swimmers, and are only available in adult sizes. Inflatable
life jackets use a cylinder of compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) gas to inflate
a coated chamber. By pulling on a cord, the wearer causes the inflation
system to drive a pin through the seal of the gas cylinder. The escaping
CO2 is channeled into the chamber, which fills and expands out of its packed
state. Hybrid PFDs are a combination of foam and inflation. The hybrids
are considered reliable by the USCG, are designed for both swimmers and
non-swimmers, and are commonly available in adult, youth, and child sizes.
The USCG has five types
of approved PFDs, each of which may include foam, inflatable and hybrid
flotation materials:
TYPE I PFD or Off-Shore Life Jacket provides 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.
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.
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.
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. This type of flotation device should
be used in adjunct with a wearable life jacket.
TYPE V PFD or Special Use Device is intended for specific activities and should
only be used according to the approval condition(s) on its label.
Once an appropriate floatation
device is selected each user should test it in shallow water or a guarded
swimming pool. Testing the PFD will ensure the proper fit (especially for
children who may drown in an improperly sized or adjusted PFD).
Remember, you are responsible
for the safety of your passengers and for complying with the life vest regulation.
As part of your pre-launch checklist, always check the number and condition
of your life jackets. For more boating safety information, visit ABA's Boating
Safety section at www.americanboating.org.
