PFDs and Lifejackets Are The Most Important Items for Boating Safety

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by: Boater Exam
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Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 Time: 2:50 PM
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Tip: It won't work if you don't wear it!!

Now more than ever, a wider range or approved types and colours of PFD's are available to boaters. Manufacturers now have the flexibility to respond to consumer's demand for comfort and fashion. PFD's now come in a variety of colours and various inflatable configurations. When shopping, keep in mind your need for visibility on or in the water.

The approved status of personal flotation devices and/or lifejackets becomes void if they have been ripped, repaired, altered or in poor condition.Boats should be equipped with an approved PFD or lifejacket of an appropriate size for each person on board (except for any infant who weighs less than 9KG or any person whose chest size exceeds 140cm).

Most on-water enforcement agencies have a zero tolerance when it comes to each person on board not having an approved PFD or lifejacket that is an appropriate fit and is in good condition. Enforcement authorities can ticket offenders on the spot instead of requiring them to appear in court.

In order for an inflatable PFD to meet this requirement, it must be:

Worn while in an open boat, or
Worn while on deck or in the cockpit or be readily available to persons below deck of vessels with cabins.
Inflatable PFD's are not approved for use by person less than 16 years of age or weighing less than 36.3 kg.
Inflatable PFD's are not approved for use on PWC's and inflatable PFD's fitted with an automatic inflator are not permitted for sail boarding (automatic inflator causes the PFD to inflate the instant it is immersed in water).
Pouch type PFD's look like a tourist pouch and is actually worn the same way. The pouch is considered a 2 stage donning device because once the inflation mechanism is triggered, the inflation chamber pops out of the pouch and must then manually be brought over the wearer's head to be properly worn.

Parents Take Note

A lifejacket or PFD is no substitute for adult supervision. Children should be encouraged to wear their lifejacket or PFD at all times. They should learn how to put them on in the water. Some lifejackets and PFD's are designed specially for children, select the one that best suits your child's size and weight. Because of the way their body weight is distributed, children do not float well in a face up position and tend to panic easily. Diapers, when wet, will adversely affect performance of flotation devices.

Children under 16 years of age should not wear inflatable PFD's.

Flotation gear should not be used for kneeling, sitting or as a fender for.your boat. Check its buoyancy regularly by wading out until the water is waist deep, bend your knees and see how well you float.

Allow your flotation gear to dry in the open air, not in constant exposure to sunlight and not close to a direct heat source. The flotation gear should be kept in a dry, well-ventilated, easily accessible place.

Flotation gear should be cleaned with a mild soap and running water. Avoid dry cleaning them or using strong detergents or gasoline to clean them.

The following technique should be used to test PFD's and/or lifejackets; while wearing the PFD and/or lifejacket in chest deep water:

The person shall bend the knees
Then float on the back, and
Shall make sure that the PFD and/or lifejacket keeps the chin above water so that it is easy to breathe.

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