Boating Safety; General; Required Safety Equipment; Personal Flotation Devices (Pfd's) - Four winns 278 VISTA Owner's Manual

B - 1

GENERAL

As the owner/operator of the boat, you are responsible
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 Boating Safety Hotline at
1-800-368-5647 for information about required safety
equipment.
A. Required Safety Equipment
Most of the safety equipment required by federal
regulations is provided as standard equipment.
Personal Floatation Devices (life jackets) must fit
the person wearing it. If local regulations require
additional equipment, it must be approved by the
US Coast Guard (USCG). Minimum requirements
include the following:
• Personal Floatation 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 Floatation Devices (PFDs)
Federal regulations require that you have at least
one Coast Guard approved personal floatation device
(PFD) for each person in a recreational boat. You
should not use your boat unless all PDFs 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 PDF) 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
the person's weight in the water.
Boating Safety - Section B
The size of the PFD should be appropriate for the
wearer. Body weight or chest size are common
methods 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 B1) 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
survival. 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 B1: Type I, Wearable
PFD Type II, Wearable (Figure B2) 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 B2: Type II, Wearable
PFD Type III, Wearable (Figure B3) allows the wearer
to place themselves in a vertical or slightly backward
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 com-
monly involved in water activities.

Boating Safety

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