Types Of Life Jackets – How Do I Choose?

PFD – Personal Floatation Device

Before I start this post. I want to personally say how strong I feel about life jackets. THEY SAVE LIVES! I know you think, “I don’t need that I’m just going on a short float.” Well, that may be true. You may never need one. Until you do and you don’t have one. So PLEASE! Make sure you keep a life jacket with you, not only is it the law, but it is so.

Important: According to Boat US                                         

• Type 1 – Indented for use in racing, fishing offshore, boating alone, or in stormy conditions. Will turn MOST unconscious wearers face-up.
• Type 2 – Intended for fishing & sailing & boating in light crafts. Will turn MOST unconscious wearers face up. However, has a poor performance in rough water. It is more comfortable than a Type 1 but provides far less floatation.
• Type 3 – Intended for supervised activities, water skiing, fishing, canoeing and jet skis. These are best used where the chance of rescue is immediate, they are not suited for extended survival and not designed to turn unconscious people right side up. These are considered more comfortable than a type 1 or type 2 but offer less floatation than a type 1.
• Type 4 – These are throwable devices and are not intended to be worn. They are intended to be thrown overboard to a victim or added as supplementation until help can arrive.
• Type 5 – Special use life jackets. These are which each is designed, for example: sailboard harness, deck suit, paddling vest, commercial white-water vest or float coats.