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TYPE I -
Inherently Buoyant:
Recommended uses:
- When cruising, racing and fishing offshore,
or in stormy conditions.
- Minimum buoyancy:
22 lbs. (11 lbs. for
child size)
- Best for open, rough or remote water where rescue may be slow to arrive. Will turn MOST unconscious wearers face-up in water.
- Offers the best protection, but is somewhat
bulky and uncomfortable. Does the best job
of retaining body heat, as it has additional
foam and fabric, and keeps your head higher above water.
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Type I - Inflatable
Recommended Uses:
- Minimum buoyancy: 34 lbs.
- Recommended uses: offshore cruising,
racing, fishing
- Will turn unconscious wearer face-up
- Advantages: two inflation mechanisms, both
manual and automatic; very comfortable to wear
- Disadvantages: requires periodic maintenance;
not suitable for whitewater, for use with personal watercraft, or while skiing. So expensive that there currently aren't any Type I inflatable PFD's available to the general public.
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TYPE II -
Near-Shore Inherently Buoyant:
Recommended Uses:
- When cruising, racing and fishing offshore, or when boating alone, or in stormy conditions.
- Minimum buoyancy: 15.5 lbs.
- Good for protected, inland water near shore, where chances of immediate rescue is good.
Not suitable for extended survival in rough water. Will turn SOME unconscious wearers face-up
in water. Poor performer in rough water, often requires you to tread water in order to keep
your head above water.
- More comfortable but less buoyant than Type I. Provides far less floatation than a Type I.
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 Type II - Inflatable
Recommended Uses:
- Minimum buoyancy: 34 lbs.
- Recommended uses: inland cruising, dinghy sailing and racing
- Not guaranteed to turn unconscious wearer
face-up
- Advantages: very comfortable, more buoyant than Type II Inherently Buoyant
jackets
- Disadvantages: High price , may be manual or automatic
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TYPE III -
Flotation Aid
Inherently Buoyant:
Recommended Uses:
- Supervised activities, such as sailing regattas, dinghy races, water skiing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and during personal watercraft operation.
- Minimum buoyancy: 15.5 lbs.
- Good for protected, inland water near shore, where chance of immediate rescue is good.
- Not suitable for extended survival in rough water. Not designed to turn unconscious people face up in water.
- Most comfortable to wear than a Type I or a Type II, but provides far less floatation than a Type I.
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 Type III - Inflatable
Recommended Uses:
- Minimum buoyancy: 22.5 lbs.
- Recommended uses: supervised activities such as sailing regattas, dinghy races, canoeing
- Not guaranteed to turn unconscious wearer
face-up
- Advantages: more comfortable than a Type III Inherently Buoyant jacket
- Disadvantages: one manual inflation mechanism only
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TYPE IV -
Throwable Device
Inherently Buoyant:.
Recommended Uses:
- Throw to overboard victim or to supplement the buoyancy of a person overboard. It is not to be worn.
- Minimum buoyancy: 16.5 lbs. for ring buoy or 18 lbs. for boat cushion.
- Can be a cushion, ring or horseshoe
mounted on deck.
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- For calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic, where help is always nearby. Not for unconscious persons, non-swimmers or children. NEVER to be used as a seat cushion! This degrades the foam and reduces the amount of floatation that is provided.
- Most comfortable to wear than a Type I or a Type II, but provides far less floatation than a Type I.
Note:
Type IV devices must be IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE for use. You must have one at
arm's length to throw over the side in an emergency. Having one in a locker
under the driver's seat isn't considered "immediately available." |
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TYPE V -
Special Use Device 
Recommended Uses:
- Restricted to the special use for which each is designed, for example: sailboard harness, decksuit, commercial white water vest or float coats.
- Minimum Buoyancy: 15.5 to 22 lbs.
- Must be worn when underway to meet minimum US Coast Guard requirements.
- Good for protected, inland water near shore, where chance of immediate rescue is good.
- Not suitable for extended survival in rough water. Not designed to turn unconscious people face up in water.
- Most comfortable to wear than a Type I or a Type II, but provides far less floatation than a Type I.
Type V - Automatic Inflation Models
Recommended Uses:
- Minimum buoyancy: 22.5 to 34 lbs., depending on style
- Restricted to the one use for which it is designed, ex., sailboard harness, belt pack, deck suit,
float coat
- Must be worn to meet federal requirements
- Not guaranteed to turn unconscious wearer
face-up
- Some models feature a combination of CO2 inflation and built-in foam and provide 15.5 to
22 lbs. of buoyancy.
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Type V: Hybrids
- Recommended for boating activities where rescue is nearby and must be worn when underway. Minimum buoyancy: Have 7.5 lbs. of built-in foam buoyancy and can be inflated to 22 lbs.
- More comfortable to wear than Type I or Type II, but are inadequate for unconscious overboard victims
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INFLATION MECHANISM: When activated, a CO2 cartridge is pierced, releasing gas to inflate the device. Water-activated models inflate automatically when submerged in water. Manual units are activated by yanking a pull-tab. Both types of inflatables feature blow-tubes to provide a back-up method of inflation. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for checking and maintaining your inflation mechanism.
MAINTENANCE: Inflatable life jackets require more frequent maintenance than inherently buoyant life jackets.
- Check the status of the inflator to be certain cartridge is properly installed.
- Check for leaks every two months; inflate life jacket orally and leave it overnight to check for leaks.
- Immediately replace any spent CO2 cartridges with new ones.
- Frequent users of inflatables should check them often, especially if used around sharp equipment like fishing gear.
Inflatables are NOT recommended for individuals who cannot swim (unless worn inflated) and are not for use where water impact is expected, like water skiing or riding a jet ski. |
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 Life Jackets and Kids
A life jacket is no substitute for adult supervision of children in and around the water. Children float differently than adults. Because their body weight is distributed differently, children are more likely to float face down in the water. Children's life vests should have a crotch strap and a neck collar for the most protection.
Photo courtesy of Tampa Tribune
Youth PFD Wearing Requirements
As of January 1, 2006 there are 48 states and territories that mandate that children wear life jackets while on a boat under certain circumstances. As of December 2002, if you boat in one of the states without a children's PFD regulation, you are required to have all children under 13 wear a PFD while under way, unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin while boating on federal waterways.
This list does not include requirements for PFD usage while
riding on a PWC or on a towed device such as skis or an inflatable tube.
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