Boating Safety; B.-.1.General; Required.safety.equipment; Personal Flotation Devices (Pfds) - Four winns FUNSHIP Owner's Manual

B - 1 GENERAL
As.the.owner/operator.of.the.boat,.you.are.respon-
sible.for.assuring.that.all.required.safety.equipment.is.
aboard..You.should.also.consider.supplying.additional.
equipment.as.needed.for.your.safety.and.that.of.your.
passengers..Check.state.and.local.regulations.and.
call.the.US.Coast.Guard.Info.line.at.1-800-368-5647.
for.information.about.required.safety.equipment..
Also.visit.the.United.Power.Squadron.website.at.
www.usps.org
A. Required Safety Equipment
Most.of.the.safety.equipment.required.by.federal.regu-
lations.is.provided.as.standard.equipment..Personal.
Flotation Devices (life jackets) must fit the persons
wearing.them..Minimum.requirements.include.the.fol-
lowing:.
.
•.. Personal.Flotation.Devices
•.. Visual.Distress.Signal
•.. Bell.or.Whistle
•. Fire.Extinguisher
•.. Navigation.Lights
NOTICE
As the owner/operator of the boat, you are
responsible for assuring that all required safety
equipment is aboard and meets the boating
regulations as prescribed by both federal and
local authorities in your area.
B. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
Federal.regulations.require.that.you.have.at.least.one.
Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD)
for.each.person.in.a.recreational.boat..You.should.
not.use.your.boat.unless.all.PFDs.are.in.serviceable.
condition,.readily.accessible,.legibly.marked.with.the.
Coast.Guard.approval.number,.of.an.appropriate.size.
(within.the.weight.range.and.chest.size.marked.on.the.
PFD).for.each.person.aboard.
A.PFD.provides.buoyancy.to.help.keep.your.head.
above.the.water.and.to.help.you.remain.in.a.satisfac-
tory.position.while.in.the.water..Body.weight.and.age.
should.be.considered.when.selecting.a.PFD..The.
buoyancy.provided.by.the.PFD.should.support.your.
weight.in.water..
The.size.of.the.PFD.must.be.appropriate.for.the.wear-
er..Body.weight.or.chest.size.are.common.methods.
Boating Safety - Section B
used.to.size.PFDs..It.is.your.responsibility.to.ensure.
that.you.have.the.proper.number.and.types.of.PFDs.
on.board.and.that.your.passengers.know.where.and.
how.to.use.them.
C. PFD Types
Five.types.of.PFDs.have.been.approved.by.the.US.
Coast.Guard..The.PFDs.are.described.as.follows:
PFD Type 1, Wearable.(Figure.B-1).has.the.greatest.
required.buoyancy..Its.design.allows.for.turning.most.
unconscious.persons.in.the.water.from.face.down.
position.to.a.vertical.or.slightly.backward,.face-up.
position..It.can.greatly.increase.the.chances.of.sur-
vival..Type.1.is.most.effective.for.all.waters,.especially.
offshore.when.rescue.may.be.delayed..It.is.also.the.
most.effective.in.rough.waters.
Figure B-1: Type I, Wearable
PFD Type II, Wearable (Figure.B-2).turns.its.wearer.
in.the.same.way.as.Type.I,.but.not.as.effectively..
The.Type.II.does.not.turn.as.many.persons.under.the.
same.conditions.as.a.Type.I..You.may.prefer.to.use.
this.PFD.where.there.is.a.probability.of.quick.rescue.
such.as.in.areas.where.other.people.are.commonly.
involved.in.water.activities.
Figure B-2: Type II, Wearable
PFD Type III, Wearable (Figure.B-3).allows.the.wear-
er.to.place.themselves.in.a.vertical.or.slightly.back-
ward.position..It.does.not.turn.the.wearer..It.maintains.
the.wearer.in.a.vertical.or.slightly.backward.position.
and.has.no.tendency.to.turn.the.wearer.face.down..It.
has.the.same.buoyancy.as.a.Type.II.PFD.and.may.be.
appropriate.in.areas.where.other.people.are.commonly.
involved.in.water.activities.

Boating Safety

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