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Sunday, June 18, 2006
Check You Life Jackets Prior To Boating
Do you know the difference between a Type I, II, III, IV, or V life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device)? Do you know what type of life jacket a child or adult should wear and which boats must have mandatory life jackets? Did you know that 90 percent of people in New York who drowned while boating were not wearing life jackets or PDFs?
New York state law requires children under 12 years of age to wear a Type I or Type II life jacket when on board any boat less than 40 feet when under way, and a Type I, II, or III when on boats 40-65 feet when under way. The law does not apply when children under 12 are within an enclosed cabin.
In addition, New York law requires every pleasure boat have at least one approved life jacket for each passenger and should be readily available. Life jackets and PDFs must be the right size for each passenger.
Type I life jackets are for offshore use. They turn an unconscious person face-up in the water and supply the most buoyancy.
Type II jackets are for near-shore use. They are yolk style and are also designed to turn most unconscious persons face-up in the water. They will, however, react slower while turning the victim and, therefore, are not as effective as a Type I jacket.
Type III jackets are vest-style. They are the most popular and comfortable life jackets in use today for children. They are designed for calm waters where quick rescue is likely. They will not, however, turn an unconscious person face-up in the water. Float coats, fishing vests, and vests designed for various water sports are examples. Some Type III PDFs are designed to be inflated upon entering the water.
Type IV is considered a throwable device like a ring or flotation-type seat. It is designed to be held or cradled by the user until rescued and is not designed to be used.
Type V, or hybrids are inflatable PFDs that must be worn to be acceptable. They do not require a minimal amount of maintenance and are not recommended for water skiing. They are designed to be automatically inflated once the user enters the water. They also have a manual inflation tube for back-up inflation.
Make certain your PFDs are in good condition before heading out on the water. Ultraviolet sunlight, rough handling and improper storage make it necessary to ensure that your life jacket is in serviceable condition. This is a U.S. Coast Guard requirement.
At least twice a year you should inspect them for tears, rips and holes and make sure straps, seams, and hardware are OK. Also check for signs of waterlogging, mildew odor, or shrinkage of the buoyant materials. Inspect and replace spent cartridges in inflatable PFDs.
To ensure the correct fit of a life jacket, have the user put on a PFD and adjust the straps as necessary to ensure a snug fit. Next, have the wearer raise his or her arms above their head. With his or her arms raised, pull up firmly on the upper straps of the PFD. A correctly fitted life jacket will not ride higher than the ears or mouth of the user. Inflatable jackets, however, should have a loose fit to allow for the inflation of the device. Inflatables require regular maintenance and are not recommended for children.
When purchasing PFDs, pay close attention to the manufacturers label. The label will give you information about what uses the jacket was intended for, along with information about the size or person it will fit, care instructions, and how to wear the jacket.
