5 Different Types of Life Jackets (PFD's) Type I PFD: Offshore Life Jackets · Type II PFD: Near-Shore Vests · Type III PFD: Flotation Aids · Type IV PFD: Throwable Devices · Type V PFD: Special-Use Devices.
What is a Type 1 Life jacket (PFD)?
Offshore Life Jackets
- A TYPE I PFD, or OFFSHORE 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.
- The TYPE I comes in two sizes: Adult size provides at least 22 pounds of buoyancy, the child size, 11 pounds, minimum.
What is a Type 2 Life jacket (PFD)?
Near-Shore Vests
- A TYPE II PFD, NEAR-SHORE BUOYANT VEST is intended for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of quick rescue.
- This type will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position.
- The turning action is not as pronounced nor as effective as a TYPE I.
- An adult size provides at least 15.5 pounds buoyancy, a medium child size provides 11 pounds. Infant and small child sizes each provide at least 7 pounds buoyancy.
What is a Type 3 Life jacket (PFD)?
Flotation Aids
- A TYPE III PFD, or FLOTATION AID, is good for calm, inland water, or where there is a good chance of quick rescue.
- This PFD type will not turn unconscious wearers to a face-up position.
- The wearer may have to tilt their head back to avoid turning face down.
- TYPE III has the same minimum buoyancy as a TYPE II PFD. Float coat, fishing vests, and vests designed for various water sports are examples.
- Some Type III PFDs are designed to be inflated upon entering the water.
What is a Type 4 Life jacket (PFD)?
Throwable Devices
- A TYPE IV PFD, or THROWABLE DEVICE, is intended for calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic, where help is always present but can be used in open water as well.
- 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.
What is a Type 5 Life jacket (PFD)?
Special-Use Devices
- TYPE V, special use devices, are intended for water sports (such as windsurfing, kayaking, or waterskiing) and can be used only for the specified conditions.
- They can be deck suits, work vests, board-sailing vests and others.
- They are the least bulky.
- Some are designed to automatically inflate when entering the water.
- It contains a small amount of inherent buoyancy and an inflatable chamber and must be worn when underway to be acceptable.
- USCG-approved inflatable PFDs must be functional and armed. Check and replace spent cartridges in inflatable PFDs.
PFD's serviceability
Make sure all your PFDs are in good condition
Ultraviolet sunlight, rough handling and improper storage make it necessary to ensure that your PFD is in serviceable condition. This is a USCG requirement. Check for rips, tears, and holes and make sure seams, straps, zippers and hardware are okay. Make sure there is no sign of waterlogging, mildew odor, or shrinkage of the buoyant materials. If your PFD is discolored, torn or has torn straps, discard and replace it.
Exposure to sunlight and moisture can deteriorate PFDs rapidly. Let your PFD drip dry thoroughly before putting it away. If your PFD has been in salt water, rinse it thoroughly with fresh water. Stow your PFDs in a well-ventilated place.
