U.S. Coast Guard Life Jacket Ratings
Life jackets, or personal flotation devices (PFD’s), are a must for all types and levels of watersport activities. There are many styles of life jackets, but there are only five different US Coast Guard (USCG) classifications. In the information outlined below you will learn what types of PFD’s are available and which ones are appropriate for your particular watersport.
When boating, one wearable life jacket is required for each person on-board a boat and they should be stowed where readily accessible. In addition, one Type IV throwable device, which should be immediately available, is required on every boat 16 feet or larger.
Federal Regulations mandate that states without child life jacket laws (currently there are only 4) require that youths under 13 wear an approved PFD whenever a recreational boat is underway, unless below decks or in a closed cabin. States with existing regulations are not required to alter their status. Make sure you check your state regulations before getting underway with children on-board.
Collection
| Use | Advantages | Disadvantages
|
Type I
Offshore life
jacket
| Best used for open, rough or
remote waters where the
possibility of rescue may take
some time.
Minimum Buoyancy Ratings:
Adult size = 22 lbs.
Child size = 11 lbs.
| Floats you the best
Turns most unconscious wearers
face-up in water
| Bulky
Not comfortable for extended
wear
|
Type II
Near shore buoyancy vest
| Intended for calm inland waters
or where there is a good chance
of a relatively quick rescue.
Examples of these vests would
be the basic orange vests most
boaters have on-board.
Minimum Buoyancy Ratings:
Adult size = 15.5 lbs.
Child size = 11 lbs.
Infant size = 7 lbs.
| Turn "some" unconscious
persons to face up position.
Less bulky and more
comfortable to wear than a
Type I
| Will not turn some unconscious
wearers face-up
Not designed for long hours in
rough water
|
Type III
Flotation Aid
| Ideal for calm, inland water or
where there is a good chance
for quick rescue.
Most common jacket used for
recreational purposes.
Minimum Buoyancy Ratings:
Adult size = 15.5 lbs.
Child size = 11 lbs.
Infant size = 7 lbs.
| They are lightweight and
comfortable for continuous
wear.
Come in many sizes and styles.
| Will not turn an unconscious
wearer to a face-up position.
Wearer may have to tilt head
back to avoid going face down.
Not intended for survival in
rough water or the open sea.
|
Type IV
Throwable Device
| Designed to be thrown to a
person in the water, grasped
and held by the user until
rescued. It is intended for calm
inland waters with heavy boat
traffic, where help is always
present.
One Type IV throwable device,
which should be immediately
available, is required on every
boat 16 feet or larger.
Minimum Buoyancy Ratings:
18 lbs.
| Good backup to wearable
flotation devices.
Can be thrown to anyone
in the water needing assistance.
| Not for an unconscious person.
Not intended for non-swimmers
or children.
Not intended for survival in
rough water or the open sea.
|
Type V
Special Use Device
| Designed and approved for
specific activities as listed on its
label.
Examples include work vests,
board sailing vests, and
commercial whitewater rafting
and kayaking vests.
Minimum Buoyancy Ratings:
15.5 - 22 lbs.
| More convenient or useful for
specific activities.
Continuous wear prevents
being caught without protection.
Some Type V devices provide
hypothermia protection, such as
deck suits. A Type V Hybrid
Inflatable PFD is the least bulky.
| Less safe than other types if not
used according to label
instructions.
Some Type V's are approved
only when worn. If marked this
way, they are required to be
worn to be counted as a
regulation PFD.
|
Make sure your PFDs are in good condition before leaving the dock. Ultraviolet sunlight, rough handling and improper storage make it necessary to ensure that your PFD is in serviceable condition.
This is a U.S. Coast Guard requirement.
It is also important to test a PFD in shallow water or a guarded swimming pool to make sure it fits appropriately and is in proper working order.
To learn how to calculate buoyancy, read our article
What Does Pounds of Buoyancy Mean?
To shop for a life jacket, see the wide selection in our
Life Jackets category.
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