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Important information about Child PFD's
 
When choosing a PFD for your child, understand that different types of PFDs have various strengths and limitations, including:
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Type III PFDs:  Least bulky and most comfortable for continuous wear.  Type III PFDs are designed to support a calm child in the water. They are NOT designed to turn a child “face-up” in the water. They work best on children with some swimming skills.
 
Type II PFDs: Typically comfortable, but more bulky than Type III PFDs. Type II PFDs will turn only some children to a “face-up” position.
 
Type I PFDs: More bulky and less comfortable than either Type II or Type III PFDs. Type I PFDs have the greatest ability to turn a child “face-up.”
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A “face-up” position is one where the child is floating calmly on his/her back with arms and legs in the water and head back, with face out of the water.  The ability of a PFD to turn a child “face-up” is affected by: Your child's height and weight distribution. The type of PFD you select. And with most PFDs, the ability of your conscious child to turn himself/herself face up-an ability that must be learned.
 
Make sure your child's PFD fits properly: Select a PFD that fits your child based on his/her weight and chest size (as measured under the arms). The PFD should fit snugly, but not too tightly. Do not buy a PFD that your child will “grow into.”
 
Have your child try on the PFD and test it's fit by lifting the child up by the shoulders of the PFD-the PFD is too large if it slips up over the child's chin or ears. Always use leg strap, if provided, to keep the PFD securely in place.
 
PFD size: Youth: 50 to 90 lbs. (23 to 41 kg), 26”-29” (66-74 cm).  Child: 30-50 lbs. (14 to 23 kg), 20”-25” (51-65 cm).  Infant: Less than 30 lbs., 16”-20” (41-51 cm)
 
Teach your child how to float with a PFD: Floating in a relaxed, “face-up” position is not something that comes naturally to children. You need to teach your child how to float safely in a shallow, controlled environment (e.g., pool, etc.) before going boating.
 
Specifically, you should:
 
1.) Teach your child to be calm in the water. Children sometimes panic when they enter the water. This causes them to move their arms and legs frantically, making it difficult for them to float safely with a PFD.
 
2.) Teach your child to float on his/her back with arms and legs in the water and head back, face out of the water (see the figure below). The height and weight distribution of some young children makes them “top-heavy,” causing them to tip in the water until they learn to float in a calm, “face-up” position.
 
3.) Teach your child to turn to a “face-up” position from a “face-down” position. Have your child practice turning himself/herself until you are certain that he/she can turn to a “face-up” position consistently and reliably.
 
If your child cannot turn to and maintain a relaxed, “face-up” floating position after getting used to wearing a PFD, try another style or type of PFD.
 
Make sure your child wears a PFD at all times:  Federal law requires that children under the age of 13 wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD when boating. Make sure your child always wears a PFD when on a boat or near the water. Check state and local laws for other requirements. Children often imitate their parents' behavior, so it is a good idea to set an example for your child by wearing your own PFD.
 
You can help prevent child drownings by having your child wear the right PFD and teaching them to use it properly. A PFD is not a substitute for adult supervision - NEVER leave a child unattended in or near the water.

Facts about PFD's
Caring For Your PFD
 
Follow these points to be sure your PFD stays in good condition:
 
* Don't alter your PFD. If yours does not fit, get one that does. Play it safe. An altered PFD may not save your life.
 
* Don't put heavy objects on your PFD or use it for a kneeling pad for boat fender. PFDs lose buoyancy when crushed.
 
*  Let your PFD drip dry thoroughly before putting it away. Always stow it in a well-ventilated place. Don't leave your PFD on board for long periods when the boat is not in use. Never dry your PFD on a radiator, heater, or any other direct heat source Practice throwing your Type IV PFD.
 
* Cushions throw best underhand.
 
Trying Your PFD
 
Try on your PFD to see if it fits snugly. Then test it in shallow water to see how it handles.
 
To check your PFD's buoyancy, relax your body and tilt your head back. Make sure your PFD keeps your chin above water and you can breathe easily.
 
Be aware that your PFD may not act the same in swift or rough water as in calm water. The clothes you wear and the items in your pockets may also affect how your PFD works.
 
If your mouth is not well above the water, your PFD needs more buoyancy. Older foam PFDs may lose buoyancy and may have to be replaced.
 
A PFD is designed not to ride up on the body in the water. If a wearer's stomach is larger than the chest, however, ride-up may occur. Before use, test your PFD to be sure that excessive ride-up does not impair the PFD's performance.
 
Checking Your PFD:
 
Check your PFD often for rips, tears and holes. Also check to see that seams, fabric straps and hardwear are okay. Give your PFD belts and tie tapes a quick, hard pull to make sure they are secure. You should find no signs of waterlogging, mildew odor or shrinkage of buoyant materials.
 
If your PFD uses bags of kapok (a naturally buoyant material), gently squeeze the bag to check for air leaks. If it leaks, it should be thrown away. Wet kapok can get stiff or waterlogged and lose some of its buoyancy.
 
Fading material could indicate loss of strength. A weathered PFD might tear more easily, resulting in loss of flotation material. Store your PFD in a dry, cool, dark place. If the color of your PFD is fading, check its strength or replace it.
 
Test each PFD at the start of each season. The law says your PFDs must be in good shape before you use your boat. PFDs in poor shape should be cut up and thrown away.
Cold Facts
 
Cold water (less than 70 degrees F) can lower your body temperature, causing hypothermia. If your body temperature drops too low, you may pass out and then drown. The human body cools 25 times faster in cold water then in air.
 
Water temperature, body size, body fat percentage and movement in the water each play a part in cold-water survival. Small people cool faster than large people; children cool faster than adults.
PFDs can help you survive cold water. They let you float without using energy while insulating your body from cold water. A snug-fitting PFD is better than a loose-fitting one. When you boat in cold water, use a flotation coat or deck suit-style PFD. In cold water they're better than vests because they cover more of your body.
 
Cold-Water Survival
 
Maintaining body temperature is crucial to cold-water survival. When you're in cold water, do not swim unless you can reach a nearby boat, fellow survivor or floating object. Movement lowers body temperature-even good swimmers drown while swimming in cold water.
 
If a nearby floating object is large, pull as mush of your body as possible out of the water and onto the float. The more your body remains out of water, the less heat it will lose. Do not use survival floation methods that involve submerging your face in cold water. Keeping your head above water will conserve heat and increase survival time.
 
Floating in the HELP position will lessen heat loss. However, if you're wearing a Type III PFD, or if the HELP position causes your face to become submerged, bring your arms and legs straight down and hold them tight to your sides while keeping your head tilted back. Whenever possible, keep arms snug to the body under the PFD. This is called the SURVIVAL position.
 
If others are in the water with you, HUDDLE together for warmth. Keep a positive outlook-it will increase your survival chances. Always wear your PFD. Even if you become helpless from hypothermia, your PFD will keep you afloat.
 
HOW MANY PFD'S DO YOU NEED?
 
The United States Coast Guard says you must have USCG Approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) on your recreational boat. How many and what type PFDs you'll need depends on the number of people on board, the size and type of your boat, and the kind of boating you do.
 
You must have one of any of these wearable PFDs for each person on board:
? Offshore Life Jacket (Type I)
? Near-Shore Buoyant Vest (Type II)
? Flotation Aid (Type III)
? Special Use Device (Type V)
 
Additional, if your boat is 16-feet or longer, and is not a canoe or kayak, you must also have at least one Throwable Device (Type IV). For example, if there are four people on your 16-foot boat, you must have at least five PFDs - four wearable PFDs and one throwable PFD.
 
TYPE I - TYPE V PFDS
Type I PFD - Off-Shore Life Jacket:
Best for open, rough or remote waters, where rescue may not be immediate.
 
Advantages: Provides most reliable flotation. Turns most unconscious wearers face-up. Comes in highly visible colors. Has reflective material for search and rescue. Inflatables: Only solas devices need two chambers. Indicate when CO2 chamber is empty. Inflate automatically when submerged. Type I inflatables must be automatic.
 
Disadvantages (Inherently Buoyant): Bulky in and out of water.
 
Disadvantages (Hybrids): Needs regular inspection and re-arming.
 
Disadvantages (Inflatable): Requires regular inspection and re-arming. Not suitable for nonswimmers
 
Type II PFD - Near-Shore Buoyant Vest:
 
Good for calm or inland water, where fast rescue is likely.
 
Advantages: Turns some unconscious wearers face-up in the water. Be sure to water-test before boating activity. Less bulky and more comfortable than foam Off-Shore Life Jacket (Type I PFD). Approved for multiple sizes from infant through adult. Inflatables deploy automatically when submerged and may be suitable for some rough-water conditions.
 
Disadvantages (Inherently Buoyant): Not recommended for long hours on rough water.
 
Disadvantages (Hybrids): Needs regular inspection and re-arming.
 
Disadvantages (Inflatable): Requires regular inspection and re-arming to be reliable. Not suitable for non swimmers. Not suitable for activities with frequent water entry. Approved for adult wearers only.
 
Type III PFD - Flotation Aid
 
Good for conscious users in calm inland water or where fast rescue is likely.
 
Advantages: Generally the most comfortable for continuous wear. Designated for general boating and designated activities marked on the device. Available in many styles, including vests and flotation costs.
 
Disadvantages (Inherently Buoyant): Wearer may have to tilt head back to avoid being submerged face-down. Not recommended for extended survival in rough water; a wearer's face may often be covered by waves. Must be water-tested by nonsuimmers before boating activity.
 
Disadvantages (Hybrids): Needs regular inspection and re-arming.
 
Disadvantages (Inflatable): Requires regular inspection and re-arming to be reliable. Must be water-tested by nonswimmers before boating activity. Not suitable for nonswimmers. Not suitable for activites with frequest water entry. Not reliable for long hours in rough water.
 
 
Differences for Inflatables: Will keep most unconscious wearers face-up after inflation.
 
Type IV PFD - Throwable Device
 
Advantages: May be thrown from craft or land. Provide backup to wearable PFDs. Some styles may be used as seat cushions.
 
Disadvantages: Not for unconscious persons. Not suitable for nonswimmers or children. Not safe for long hours in rough water.
 
Styles: Cushions, rings and horseshoe buoys. Inflatable devices not USCG approved; inherently buoyant styles only.
 
Cushion Use: Place one loop over the head and a leg through the other loop. This prevents the cushion from floating away if the user becomes unconscious and the arms relax and lose their hold on the cushion.
 
Type V - Special Use Devices
 
Type V varieties include boardsailing vests, deck suits, pullover vests, work vests, some hybrid PFDs, and others. Only appropriate for specific uses or conditions. See PFD label for limits of use.
 
Advantages: Designed for specific activities.
 
Disadvantages: Less safe than other PFD types if used for activities other than those specified on labels.