Life Jacket Types

The Federal law requires that all recreational boats carry one Type I, II, III, or V Personal Flotation Device or PFD for each person on board or on a water ski behind you. If your boat is over 16 feet (except canoes and kayaks), you must also have a Type IV Throw Cushion or Life Ring.

Type I: "Off-Shore" PFD's float the best and are designed for rough water. They are capable of turning an unconscious person from face down to face up.
Type II: "Near-Shore" PFD's can keep an unconscious person's face upright and out of the water but does not do as good of job of turning the unconscious person from the face down to the face up position. They are only intended for calm protected waters.
Type III: "Sport" or "Floatation Aid" PFD's are only to be worn during wet boating activities like water-skiing, sail boarding or kayaking. They do not have the ability to keep an unconscious person's face out of the water.

Type IV: Throw Cushions or Life Rings are required on boats over 16 feet (except canoes and kayaks). These devices must be ready to deploy to a person who falls overboard, they are not a substitute for a lifejacket. There are several types including cushions with two handle straps, life ring and horseshoe shaped.
Type V: "Special Use" PFD's are intended for specific activities and may only be counted if worn, be sure to check the label for its intended use. Some varieties include deck suits, work vests, safety harness's and board sailing, and some may contain hypothermia protection.

PFD Flotation

There are three basic kinds of PFD flotation in the five types of PFD's with the following characteristics:

1) Inherently Buoyant Life jackets (primarily foam): - Adult in types I, II, III & V; - Youth in types II, III & V; - Child in type II; - Infant in type II; - Throwable type IV; - Used by swimmers and non-swimmers; - Some are used for water sports
2) Inflatable lifejacket's: - Used for adults only in type I, II, III& V; - Recommended for swimmers only; - Only wearable styles (no throwables); - Compact; - May only be counted if worn
3) Hybrid Life Preservers (foam & inflation): - Adult in types II, III & V; - Youth in types II, III & V; - Child in type II; - Only wearable styles (no throwables); - Used by swimmers and non-swimmers; - Some are used for water sports