CWTA - Resources - Kayak Basics - How To Choose A PFD - Types Of Personal Floatation Devices

Type I – Offshore Lifejackets

PFD Type One

Type I PFD, or offshore life jacket turns most unconscious wearers face-up in water. It has the highest buoyancy of all inherently buoyant types and is the most effective type in rough water. It comes in two sizes to fit most children and adults. It is best for all waters; open ocean, rough seas, or remote water; where rescue may be slow coming.

Advantages:

It is the best performing PFD of all types in both rough and calm waters, provides the best chance of survival for unconscious wearer and is the best device for non-swimmers if they wear it.

Disadvantages:

It is the most bulky type of all, is uncomfortable to wear for extended periods out of the water and may not fit extremes of some sizes well

These are large bulky jackets found aboard ships. It has no place in canoeing or kayaking. These personal floatation devices (PFD) are safety features found on boats out at sea.

Type II – Near Shore Life Vests

PFD Type Two

Type II PFD, or near shore buoyant vest will turn some unconscious wearers face-up in water. It comes in sizes infant, child-small, child-medium, and adult and is a compromise between Type I PFD performance and wearer comfort. It is intended for general boating activities and is good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue.

Advantages:

It is more comfortable to wear than a Type I PFD and keeps most unconscious wearers face-up in water.

Disadvantages:

It may be uncomfortable after wearing for extended periods and will not turn as many people face-up as a Type I PFD will. In rough water, a wearer's face may often be covered by waves and it is not for extended survival in rough water

You can store these in your kayak for extra safety if you want.

Type III – Flotation Aid

PFD Type Three

Type III PFD, or flotation aid is designed to provide a stable face-up position in calm water for a wearer floating with head tilted back. It is available in a wide variety of styles and in many sizes for good fit. This is the most common type of paddling personal floatation devices (PFD). These are light weight, comfortable, and smaller in size. The are intended for use in rivers and lakes where there is a high chance of quick rescue. These personal floatation devices (PFD) will not keep your head upright without aid from the wearer. It is good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue and so that wearing it will complement your boating activities.

Advantages:

It should be comfortable enough to wear for extended periods and offers a wide variety of designs for specialized boating activities.

Disadvantages:

Wearer may have to tilt head back to avoid going face-down and the jacket will not hold the face of an unconscious wearer clear of the water. In rough water, a wearer's face may often be covered by waves and the jacket is not for extended survival in rough water.

Type IV – Throwable Device

PFD Type Four

Type IV PFD is an approved device which is designed to the thrown to a conscious person in the water. This device is not designed to be worn and must have at least 16.5 pounds of buoyancy. These usually take the shape of a boat cushion, life ring, or horseshoe device. These devices must be readily accessible during boat operation.

Kinds: Cushions, rings and horseshoe buoys. Hold to chest and put arms through opposite straps.

Advantages:

Can be thrown to someone.

Are good backup to wearable PFDs.

Disadvantages:

Not for unconscious person, non-swimmers or children.

Not for many hours in rough water.

These personal floatation devices (PFD) can not be used for paddling.

Type V – Special Use Device

PFD Type Five

Type V PFD, or special use device, is a hybrid vest with a small amount of inherent buoyancy to keep you from sinking, plus an inflatable chamber for full performance. It is required to be worn to be counted as a regulation PFD and has performance when fully inflated, equal to Type I, II, or III PFD as noted on the label. It is intended for general boating as indicated on the label.

Advantages:

It is less bulky than pure inherently buoyant types, has high flotation when inflated, is good for continuous wear and for weak or nonswimmers.

Continuous wear prevents being caught without protection. Most accidents happen suddenly and unexpectedly.

Disadvantages:

Less safe than other Types if not used according to label conditions.

May be better suited to cool climates or seasons.

May not adequately float some wearers unless partially inflated and requires active use and care of inflation chamber.

These are large personal floatation devices (PFD) used for specialized sports like sailing and paddling. They are also used for customers on commercial rafting trips. These vest come in many shapes and designs. Make sure you understand the design of your personal floatation devices (PFD) and how to wear it.

Some Type Vs are approved only when worn. If marked this way, they are required to be worn to be counted as a regulation PFD.

Other Types Of PFD’s

INFLATABLE PFD'S

Inflatable PFD's come in Types I, II, and III.

Traditional Personal Flotation Devices use inherently buoyant materials, such as foam, to stay afloat. Inflatable PFD's, as their name indicates, rely on inflatable chambers that provide buoyancy when inflated.

Although the different "Types" of inflatable PFD's are intended for use in the same areas as inherently buoyant types of PFD's, the characteristics of inflatable PFD's are different. Inflatable PFD's are not inherently buoyant and will not float without inflation. For Types I, II, and III inflatables, the lower the Type number, the better the PFD's performance (e.g., Type I is better than Type II). Although standards are in place for their approval, there are no USCG Approved inflatable Type I or II PFDs at present.

Uninflated, these PFD's are less bulky than inherently buoyant PFD's.

Inflatables come in a variety of USCG defined PFD Performance Types. The specific Type of PFD is determined by characteristics such as its amount of buoyancy, its in-water performance and its type of inflation mechanism. To understand the details of your PFD, read the PFD label and owner's manual, and consult your dealer if necessary.

Type III Inflatables:

Will keep many unconscious wearers face-up after inflation, but must be regularly inspected and re-armed to be reliable. Inflatables are not for non-swimmers, or for long hours in rough water. Inflatables are not for use where high speed impact is likely to occur.

Types of Inflatable Mechanisms:

Automatic :

Uses a water-soluble capsule attached to the inflation unit; its mechanism pierces the CO2 cylinder and releases the gas when submerged. Units with automatic inflation mechanisms may also be manually inflated by using the ripcord.

Manual:

Releases the CO2 gas from the cylinder via the ripcord.

Advantages:

High visibility when inflated.

Turns most wearers face-up faster than traditional PFD's.

Will keep some unconscious users face up.

More comfortable than inherently buoyant PFD's.

Superior in-water performance.

Disadvantages:

Some require multiple steps to deploy.

Not suitable for nonswimmers.

Not recommended for children under 16.

Not appropriate for activities that involve frequent water entry or high speed boating activities (such as personal watercraft use, racing, sailboarding, whitewater rafting).

Require frequent inspection and maintenance.

Does not protect against hypothermia

All Inflatables: Contain a backup oral inflation tube (which also serves as the deflation tube!).

Although inflatable PFD's are considered one of the most comfortable PFD's to wear when it's hot, inflatable PFD's require regular maintenance and are not recommended for children or individuals who can't swim. Inflatable PFD's are not for use where water impact is expected as when waterskiing,

70% of all boating fatality accidents result from drowning.
Almost 90% of those who drown are not wearing a life jacket!