COVID-19 Virus: Cleaning and Storing Your PFD Guidance Show Most adults need an extra 7 to 12 pounds of buoyancy to keep their heads above water. A life jacket (PFD) can provide that “extra lift” to keep you afloat until help comes. Your weight isn’t the only factor in how much “extra lift” you need. A person’s body fat, lung size, clothing and the water conditions also play an important part. There are different types and styles of life jackets.
Many boaters object to wearing traditional life jackets because they can be uncomfortable and hot. However, there are many US Coast Guard approved life jackets that are specific to an activity and inflatable life jacket (PFDs), which can be lightweight, comfortable, and provide the wearer with greater mobility and comfort. Inflatables cannot be used by persons under 16 years of age, persons under 90 pounds, or for high speed water sports such as water-skiing or Personal Watercraft operation or riding. As with all life jackets (PFDs), be sure to read the label carefully to be certain that you are using it correctly
Special PFD Requirements: ConnecticutDuring the period from October 1st through May 31st, all persons on board a manually propelled vessel must wear a Type I, II, III or V, U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device and no operator, or owner or user of a manually propelled vessel shall allow any person to be aboard who is not wearing such a device. The operator or owner of any vessel being used for recreational purposes must require any child twelve years of age and under who is aboard such vessel to wear a personal flotation device while the vessel is underway unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin. Trying Your Life JacketTry on your life jacket to see if it fits comfortably snug. Then test it in shallow water to see how it handles. Tilt your head back. The life jacket should keep your chin above water so you can breathe easily. Caring for Your Life JacketFollow these points to be sure that your life jacket stays in good condition:
West Marine carries life jackets in a variety of designs to meet the requirements of a wide variety of boating activities. In the video below, Chuck Hawley, West Marine alumnus (and recognized expert on boating safety) presents examples and discusses the features and benefits of different life jacket designs. Chuck also discusses USCG Type approvals and gives examples for each. Editor's Note: In October of 2014, the United States Coast Guard removed references to “Type codes” from regulations on the carriage and labeling of Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices. As of June 2020, this change affects labeling for USCG Type III flotation devices only. See "Legacy Type III Personal Flotation and Equivalent Level 70 Labeling" below. The USCG requires all passengers on a boat or other qualifying vessel to have a USCG-approved personal flotation device whenever onboard. This means your boat must have at least as many USCG approved life jackets as there are people onboard. In most states, children under the age of 13 are required to wear a life vest at all times when on a boat. There are some watercraft that fall in a bit of a gray area. For example, according to the USCG, a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) is legally considered a "vessel," and must abide by the laws regarding vessels "when used beyond the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing or bathing area". On the East, West and Gulf Coasts of the United States, this means that SUPs used outside of the surf zone are required to carry a personal flotation device, a whistle (or other sound-producing device) and—if out after dark—a white light to give warning to other vessels in the area. What about inland waters outside of Federal jurisdiction? State boating laws vary, so "know before you go", and check your local regulations. USCG StandardsPersonal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are available in inherently buoyant (foam) and inflatable designs. All of them can be sorted into USCG Types which are based pricipally on performance designations.
Prior to Coast Guard-approved inflatables, you could determine a PFD’s USCG type by sight. Type IIIs looked like vests or float coats, Type IVs were horseshoes, rings, or cushions, and so forth. The introduction of inflatable PFDs changed everything. Inflatables are given a Coast Guard type, just like non-inflatables, but they are also given a performance type and a designation as to whether they have to be worn to be counted in the vessel’s life jacket inventory. What this means is that you cannot simply say that an inflatable is a Type III and equate its characteristics to the Type III with which you are familiar. All inflatables are for swimmers 16 years or older and all Type II and III inflatables provide some degree of turning ability and greater buoyancy than comparable Type II or Type III foam vests. Here are some pointers on how inflatables are classified:
This category is comprised of inflatable PFDs that have special features or require user interaction for use. PFD Belt Packs are one example. These PFDs are worn deflated on one's waist. Once inflated they must be manually slipped over one's head, which makes PFD belt packs appropriate for competent swimmers only. Inflatable PFDs with a built-in harness (to which you attach a tether) are another example of a Type V PFD.
Many boaters keep spare PFDs stowed for guests to keep with USCG regulations, but if you are stowing extra PFDs, we recommend inherently buoyant (foam) models. If you have enough inflatable PFDs onboard, have each boater actually wear theirs. They are generally so comfortable you will forget you are wearing them, unlike standard PFDs. What Type of PFD do I Need?This depends largely on what kind of boating you enjoy. Below are a list of common water-based activities and the PFDs we recommend for each. RecreationalPowerboats and sailboats in relatively calm, warm water should be stocked with PFDs that provide comfort and freedom of movement. We recommend a belted or day sailing vest, or an inshore inflatable that falls under Type III. This category includes many options in terms of style, fit and deployment. A Type II PFD could work for recreational boaters, but keep in mind that these are bulkier and restrict movement. If you plan on spending many long days on the water, go for the more comfortable option that won't chafe. Water SportsActivities like wakeboarding, water skiing, being towed on an inflatable tube and riding a personal watercraft present a risk of repeated water entry at high speed. PFDs for watersports must remain intact and securely attached to your body. Belted vests with three or four strong belts encircling your torso work best because they won’t get torn off easily, even when you wipe out at high speed. Look for vests that have "watersports" marked on the label, and ensure that they can be adjusted to a snug fit. (Editor's note: The USCG does not allow lifejackets to be advertised as providing protection from impact and they cannot reference impact on the labels or in marketing.)
Sailing small boats requires PFDs that fit snug to the body and that maximize freedom of movement. The preferred style has a zippered closure and is made from soft, pliable foam. Day sailing vests often feature an articulating design, with strips of foam inserted into channels that enables the vest to flex and wrap comfortably around your torso. Large armholes offer additional freedom of movement, but may allow the vest to ride up when in the water, so a snug fit is important. If you sail a dinghy or beach catamaran, your PFD may have to be worn with a trapeze harness, so take the harness with you when you shop for a new life jacket. Day Sailing vests are a good choice for a variety of boating styles except for high-speed water sports. FishingFishing vests include built-in pockets to accommodate anglers who often carry a collection of lures, leaders and other gear. Anglers with high-speed bass boats require vests designed to survive high-speed impacts. Therefore, we offer two distinct types of fishing vests: those with pockets that can hold lure boxes, snacks or fishing tools, and those with wide encircling belts. The second style is similar to watersports PFDs and can be adjusted to a snug and secure fit, so the vest will stay in position during high-speed water entry. Offshore SailOffshore vests provide lots of buoyancy, freedom of movement and typically a safety harness that the wearer tethers onto jacklines to stay connected to the boat. In the past, offshore sailors chose between a life jacket and a safety harness, since the two items were seen as interfering with one another. Today’s inflatable life jackets with integrated harnesses provide a high level of safety in one single product. Offshore PFDs equipped with Hammar hydrostatic or Halkey Roberts V95000 inflators require complete submersion before inflation will occur. Neither will inflate due to spray, rain or humidity. West Marine Offshore Series vests only inflate when submerged. Manual and automatic inflation options are available. Virtually all models in the Offshore Sailing category will have similar 35 pounds of buoyancy and a harness that complies with International Sailing Federation (ISAF) standards. We recommend that offshore powerboaters also have one or two of these vests aboard. You never know when you might need to venture out onto a pitching, slippery deck in rough conditions—perhaps to get the anchor ready or to secure a dinghy that has come loose. Offshore PowerPassagemaking requires high-buoyancy life jackets designed for rough waters. While the chances of ending up overboard are far lower on a trawler with an enclosed pilothouse, the crew should always wear high-buoyancy inflatable PFDs every time they go on deck. If a crewmember goes overboard the time to rescue may be long, the water may be cold and the sea rough. PaddlesportsCanoeists, kayakers and whitewater rafters need PFDs that combine freedom of movement and protection. Many specialized life jackets have been developed for niche markets and different styles of paddling, so make sure you try different models that are labeled for paddle sports. Most feature large arm holes for freedom of movement and to reduce chafe when paddling. Kayakers may need vests with high-cut waists that don’t interfere with a spray skirt. Waist-worn inflatable vest belt packs are popular among stand-up paddle boarders. This option, while allowing 100% freedom of movement, is for competent swimmers only, because it requires the user to don the vest manually while in the water. Commercial VesselsCommercial vessels must have specific types of life jackets onboard to be legal. We offer a range of Type I life jackets and SOLAS-approved models, but we don’t recommend their use on recreational boats. Type I devices, due to their bulk, are not practical for recreational boating activities and require extra space to stow. However, if you operate a commercial fishing boat that is required to have Type I vests onboard, West Marine has you covered. Other Features to ConsiderBelow are some other attributes or applications for life jackets that affect their performance requirements. Hypothermia ProtectionIf you boat in cold climates you should understand the importance of hypothermia protection. Immersion in cold water rapidly reduces your core body temperature, leading to greatly impaired physical and mental capabilities. Even a five-minute immersion in 50°F water can impair your ability to climb a ladder, catch a line, or tread water. In addition to protective clothing such as exposure coveralls, immersion suits, wetsuits, and float coats, a properly fitted Type III vest also can delay the onset and lessen the effects of hypothermia. High buoyancy vests like offshore inflatables allow the wearer to assume the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP), which can double survival times by reducing heat loss to the water. Maximum FreeboardCrew who have gone overboard may become unconscious, either through injury or due to hypothermia. In this case, high-buoyancy inflatable or Type I vests are the best choice. These vests are designed to right an unconcious victim face-up in the water and with their extra buoyancy increase the victim's freeboard, which is the distance from the water's surface to their mouth. ChildrenInfants and small children are hard to keep floating in a face-up position, and sometimes protest when wearing a PFD. Frankly, we think that boating with infants is not a very good idea if there is any likelihood of the baby ending up in the water. As kids get older and more water-savvy they become right at home onboard. There are many choices for well-fitting PFDs that provide stability and buoyancy. Those of us who have had to pull our children out of the water appreciate behind-the-head flotation collars designed for smaller kids. These come standard with a grab strap and crotch straps. We highly recommend testing the life jacket you select for your child ahead of time in a safe environment, like a pool, to familiarize yourself and your child with the device's characteristics. Be sure to review the "Important information about children’s PFDs" card that is supplied with these devices. Be Safe on the Water
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