Anytime anyone goes boating, there's a chance to fall overboard. A PFD (Personal Floatation Device) is designed to keep your head above water and to help you remain in a position that permits proper breathing. An average adult only needs artificial buoyancy of 7 to 12 pounds to remain afloat, and virtually all approved PFD's provide this amount of floatation. Don't take chances-know the facts about your lifejacket.

When buying a PFD, always check the labels to make sure the U.S. Coast Guard approves it. It must be well designed, fit well, and it must be in good condition to meet Coast Guard requirements.

Pick a lifejacket that fits, and fits the type of boating you will be doing. There are many that are comfortable and attractive, which means you are much more likely to be wearing it if an emergency arises. Never alter your PFD. Give it a trial test in shallow water. Does it hold you up so that you can breathe easily?

Help children pick a PFD with a good fit and make sure they wear it during any boating activity.

For your PFD to work, it has to be kept in good condition. So be sure to always air-dry it thoroughly before stowing it in an accessible place on board. Check it twice a year for mildew, leaks, insecure straps, or hardened stuffing. Don't crush the PFD with heavy weight and avoid contact with oil or grease-these cause some PFD materials to deteriorate and lose buoyancy.

To meet Coast Guard boating requirements, you must have the proper type and number of PFDs aboard.

One of Types I, II, III or V for each person aboard;

Boats 16 feet and over must have one Type IV (throwable device) in addition to the requirement above.

More than 90% of deaths in boating are from drowning. And 80% of those drowning victims were not wearing a personal floatation device. It's important to wear a PFD! They protect against drowning and can help protect against hypothermia - because exposure to cold water is another major killer in boating accidents. Don't take chances, wear your PFD!

Most adults need an extra 7 to 12 pounds of buoyancy to keep their head above water. Below is a list of minimum buoyancies for each type of PFD:

Type I ----------------------------------- 22 lbs.
Type II ---------------------------------- 15.5 lbs.
Type III --------------------------------- 15.5 lbs.
Ring Buoy ------------------------------- 16.5 lbs.
Boat Cushion ---------------------------- 18-lbs.
Hybrid inflatable ------------------------- 22 / 7.5 lbs.
Special use device ----------------------- 15.5 to 22 lbs.

This PFD is designed for extended survival in rough, open water. It usually will turn an unconscious person face-up and has 22 pounds of buoyancy. This is the best PFD to keep you afloat in remote regions where rescue may be slow coming

This "classic" PFD comes in several sizes for adults and children and is for calm inland water where there is chance of fast rescue. It is less bulky and less expensive than a Type I, and many turn an unconscious person face-up in the water.

These lifejackets are generally considered the most comfortable, with styles for different boating activities and sports. They are for use in calm water where there is good chance of fast rescue since they will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up. Floatation aids come in many sizes and styles.

These are designed to be thrown to a person in the water. Throwable devices include boat cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. They are not designed to be worn and must be supplemented by a wearable PFD. It is important to keep these devices immediately available for emergencies, and they should not be used for small children, non-swimmers, or unconscious people.

Special use PFDs includes work vests, deck suits, and hybrids for restricted use. Hybrid vests contain some internal buoyancy and are inflatable to provide additional flotation.

Buying a Life Vest:
There are different types of life vests: Types I, II, III and IV. Type I is for boating in severe conditions where rescue may be delayed. Type LV is a boat cushion or rescue ring. It does not replace a wearable PFD and should not be used by children. The types most helpful for near-shore recreational boating are:
· Type Il—good for calm, inland water where there is a good chance of fast rescue. Smaller sizes often have high collars to help keep a child’s face out of the water.
· Type III — provides similar flotation to Type IL and offers the most comfort and freedom of movement. It comes in a variety of styles and sizes, from small child through adult. It is also best used in calm water where there’s a good chance of fast rescue.
· Buy your child a PFD — there may not be one that fits to rent or borrow.

When Buying a Life Vest Check for
· Coast Guard approved label.
· A snug fit. Check weight and size on the label and try the PFD on your child. Pick up your child by the shoulders of the PFD; the child’s chin and ears won’t slip through a proper fit.
· Head support for younger children. A well-designed PFD will support the child’s head when the child is in the water.
· A strap between the legs for younger children. This is a good feature because it helps prevent the vest from coming off.
· Comfort and appearance. This is especially impor­tant for teens, which are less likely to wear a PFD.

How Do You Use a Life Vest?
· Every spring, check the life vest for fit as well as wear and tear. Throw it away if you find air leakage, mildew, rot or rust.
· If a child panics in the water and thrashes about, he may turn onto his face, even though a PFD with a collar is designed to keep him on his back with face out of the water. Have your child practice wearing a life vest in the water — this will help prevent panic and rolling over.
· Never alter a PFD. It could lose its effectiveness.
· Wear your own life vest to set an example, and to help your child if an emergency occurs.
· Never use toys like plastic rings or water wings in place of a PFD.

Remember PFDs only work when they are worn, and they do not take the place of supervision!

Why Should Your Child Wear a Life Vest?
Drowning is often silent, takes as little as five minutes and usually happens when an adult is nearby. No one can watch a child every second. Here are guidelines for wearing PFDs:
· Children between birth and five years: on beaches, docks and in boats.
· Children between the ages of 6-11: on docks, boats, inner tubes and river banks.
· Teens and adults: on boats or inner tubes.