St. Clair County Dive Team

Water Safety

• All vessels must be equipped with PFD for each person onboard:

– USCG requires all vessels have at least one Type I, II, or III USCG-approved PFD, wearable and of proper size

– Vessels less than 16 feet (or canoe or kayak) may choose to have either a wearable or throwable PFD

• Vessels 16 ft. or longer must also have onboard, one Type IV USCG-approved PFD that is readily accessible

Chapter 4 - The Legal Requirements of Boating

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PFD Requirements

Type I: Offshore Life Jackets

• For rough or remote waters where rescue may take awhile

• Excellent for flotation -- will turn most unconscious persons face up in water

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Type I and II PFD

Type II: Near-Shore Vests

• Good for calm waters and fast rescues

• May lack capacity to turn unconscious wearers face up

Type III: Flotation Aids

• Good for calm waters and fast rescues

• Will not turn a person face up

• Some designed to inflate when you enter water(only count if you have them on)

Chapter 4 - The Legal Requirements of Boating

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Type III and IV PFD

Type IV: Throwable Devices

• Cushions or ring buoys designed to be thrown to someone in trouble

• Not for long hours in rough waters, non-swimmers or the unconscious

• Children under 6 years of age required to wear USCG-approved Type I or II PFD when riding on open deck of any vessel

• Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III PFD.

– Persons under 12 years of age must wear Type I or II PFD.

– Inflatable PFDs not allowed on PWC

• All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and must be readily accessible

Chapter 4 - The Legal Requirements of Boating

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PFD Requirements (cont)

Lifesaving

Someone is drowning!

What do you do?

Reach, Throw, Row and Tow

Reach, Throw, Row and Tow•Reach for the Victim

•Fish Pole•Tree Branch

•Towel• Jacket

Reach, Throw, Row and Tow•Reach for the Victim•Throw something to the victim

•Lifejacket or PFD• Inner Tube

•Cooler•Rope

Reach, Throw, Row and Tow•Reach for the Victim•Throw something to the victim•Row-Use a boat or float

Reach, Throw, Row and Tow•Reach for the Victim•Throw something to the victim•Row-Use a boat or float•Tow- as a last resort, go in the water.•Only if you can swim and wear a PFD

Questions?