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Five Types of PFD's
Once you’ve decided to purchase a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), the next
step is to figure out which one is right for you.
PFDs come in a variety of different shapes, colors and materials. Some are
made to be more streamlined, while others are made to protect you from
hypothermia. No matter which type of PFD you choose, be sure to get the one
that’s right for you – because the best PFD is the one you will wear!
There are five different types of PFDs available. Here is a brief description
of each of them:
Type
I
PFDs, or offshore lifejackets, are the most buoyant PFDs and suitable for all
water conditions, including rough or isolated water where rescue may be delayed.
Although bulky in comparison to Type II and III PFDs, offshore jackets will turn
most unconscious individuals to the face-up position. They range in sizes from
adult to child.
Buoyancy: at least 22 lbs
Advantages: Turns most unconscious wearers face-up in the
water
Disadvantages: Bulky
Type
II
These PFDs – or near-shore buoyancy vests – are for calm and open water where
a rescue will most likely occur quickly. These are not designed for long periods
in rough water, and will turn some – but not all – unconscious wearers face-up
in the water. This vest is less bulky than a Type I, and often the least
expensive of the PFD types.
Buoyancy: at least 15.5 lbs
Advantages: Turns some unconscious wearers face-up in the
water
Disadvantages: Not meant for delayed rescue, or in rough
waters
Type
III
Type III PFDs – or flotation aids – are for calm and open water where a
rescue will most likely occur quickly. These PFDs are designed to keep the
wearer in a vertical position, but it is the wearers’ responsibility to maneuver
themselves into a face-up position. Type III PFDs will keep unconscious wearers
face-up just as well as a Type II vest. These types of vests are the most
comfortable to wear, and popular for recreational boating and fishing.
Buoyancy: at least 15.5 lbs
Advantages: Available in many styles, generally the most
comfortable type for continuous wear
Disadvantages: Not meant for delayed rescue, or in rough
waters
Type
IV
These are designed to be thrown to a conscious person in the water. These are
not designed to be worn. A few examples of a Type IV PFD are a buoyant cushion,
a life ring, or a horseshoe buoy.
Advantages: Can be thrown to someone
Disadvantages: Not appropriate for an unconscious person, or
children
Type
V
These devices are to be worn for specific activities that will be described
on the PFD’s label. To be effective, Type V PFDs must be worn according to these
specifications, and many must be worn at all times in order to qualify as a PFD.
A Type V label will also list its performance as Type I, II, or III. A Type V
PFD – like a full body survival suit – provides protection from hypothermia, and
is best suited for cool climates as they can become quite warm in mild or hot
weather.
Advantages: Useful for specific activities, continuous wear
prevents being caught without protection
Disadvantages: Less safe if not used according to label
specifications, some are only approved if worn
For more information on types of PFDs and safe boating practices, please
visit the USCG Boating Safety Resource
Centre (hyperlink to
http://www.uscgboating.org/).
Author: tmajor - April 5, 2011
A
Leader
In
Commercial
Marine
Safety
-
America's
First
And
Only
Inflatable
Work
Vest
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
drowning after a fall overboard is the second leading cause of death among
all commercial fishermen. There is no question work vests are essential, but
what do commercial workers, including fishermen, really know and think about
wearing PFDs?
In a study commissioned by NIOSH to find out if commercial fishermen were
aware of current PFD options and how wearable these products were in their
current work environment, six products, including Mustang Survival’s MD3188
Inflatable Work Vest, were selected and used by 400 Alaskan fishermen to be
rated based on usability factors most important while they worked.
Of the six PFDs selected, the MD3188 was the highest rated PFD based on
its lightweight design, durability, easy to clean fabric, and hydrostatic
activation system that eliminates accidental inflation due to rain and
spray. The easy-of-use and comfort made it a favorite on deck and the only
PFD in the study to receive a four-star rating. The MD3188 is also the
first and
only USCG-approved
inflatable work vest on the market.
Law
Enforcement
Buoyancy
Research
All types of users rely on our equipment in unpredictable environments
and for law enforcement officers this is especially true. That’s why we
conducted a research study specifically targeting the buoyancy requirements
for the law enforcement community.
What
Is
The
Most
Visible
Color
That
Can
Be
Worn
When
In
The
Water?
A new study entitled On-Water Visibility, conducted by Mustang
Survival, and sponsored in part by WorkSafeBC's Research Secretariat
program, found that florescent green immersion suits routinely beat
standard oranges, reds, and yellows in terms of visual detection in
water – particularly in low-light conditions.
Lead researcher Wendell Uglene, Research Manager for Mustang
Survival, says he conducted the study "to find which colour was most
conspicuous when floating on the water because we simply didn’t know."
WorkSafeBC Research Secretariat director suggests Mustang Survival's
study might prove useful in the eventual adoption of international
standards for safety equipment.
Author: product_admin - September 1, 2011
Did you know that being submerged in cold water for just 20 minutes can
lead to hypothermia, unconsciousness, and even death?
The leading-edge study was conducted in partnership with a well known
North American Law Enforcement agency and helped determined if the current
approved buoyancy requirement for inflatable PFDs is adequate to protect a
fully equipped officer from drowning.
By partnering with the law enforcement agency, we were able to conduct
specific tests with an officer and the relevant equipment, something that
had not been done before. The findings from this study continue to determine
our optimal flotation equipment designs for law enforcement professionals.
Click here to download this paper
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