Lifejackets – or more generally personal flotation devices (PFDs) – are classified by their function and buoyancy into five types. The table below describes each type.
Federal law requires at least one lifejacket (any non-throwable type) per person to be on board any boating vessel. Larger boats (16 ft or longer) additionally require at least one throwable PFD.
On smaller sailboats, it is good practice to wear a lifejacket at all times, rather than just have one on board to meet the legal requirement. The likelihood of falling into the water in the course of normal boating – as opposed to only in an emergency – is fairly high.
On larger sailboats, particularly those with lifelines, you don’t need to wear a lifejacket unless the conditions are very rough, or you can’t swim. Otherwise simply having a PFD aboard for each person and a throwable ready to deploy is safe enough since falling overboard is rare.
The throwable can be tied to a long line connected to the boat near the stern so it can be easily tossed from the cockpit during an emergency. If you’ve got your own boat, I recommend a product called the LIFESLING that serves this purpose. It’s basically a throwable PFD with a line attached that’s designed to be easily stowed and deployed.
PFD Classifications
