Since I was a young girl a flotation devise on a boat that you wore was know to me as a life jacket. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I heard the acronym PFD. (Personal Flotation Devise) For many years the National Safe Boating Council used the term PFD but I guess the public didn’t catch on to what they meant. All flotation devices used in or on the water are now to be called life jackets. There slogan is “Boat Responsibly and Always Wear your Life Jacket”.

There are five different types of recognized life jackets. Some are actual jackets, some are vests and some are just throwable floating items. Of course there are as many uses as there are life jackets. But all serve the same purpose, keeping someone afloat so they do not drown. So let us take a few moments to look at the difference types of life jackets.

Type I

The off-shore life jacket is designed to turn an unconscious person in the water to a vertical or slightly backward position. This keeps there head up and face out of the water. They work well in rough water where rescue may be slow in coming. They are mostly found on commercial crafts.

Type II

The near-shore life jacket is also designed to turn an unconscious person to a vertical and slightly backward position. They are mainly used on calm inland waterways where the chance of rescue is faster.

Type III

These life jackets are listed as Flotation Aids but are actually different types of vests that serve many different activities on the water. There are plane vests the close with a zipper or a series of clips. There are inflatable vests, they may be the most comfortable when out of the water but you must be conscious to inflate them once you are in the water. These vests do not turn you face up. Specialized type III jackets are used in water skiing, hunting, kayaking, snorkeling, and sailing.

Type IV

These are not jackets or vests. In fact you are not supposed to wear them at all. They are the throwable devices. You use these rings, cushions and horseshoe buoys to throw to a victim in the water. They are meant to be held onto at the chest. This type should always be available for emergencies.

Type V

Special use life jackets are wearable and approved only for certain activities. The label will show what it is to be used for. Some uses are work vests, board sailing, and white water vests.

Some life jackets are speed rated which means they can be worn when going at a high rate of speed, usually on a personal water craft. Just remember when you are going boating always wear your life jacket.

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