WTF is a PFD?
Ever since 1940, a personal floatation device, or PFD, has been required by U S Coast Guard Regulations on every boat or ship from the smallest skiff to the largest cruise ship for every person on board. Different PFD’s are required depending on where you are and what you are doing. The rules and regulations also stipulate the size, condition and a number of other factors for the casual or professional mariner. In Alaska, the same rules apply that are used all over the United States and her Territories when it comes to Personal Floatation Devices. PFDs have changed a little over the years, but you still have to have a personal floatation device for everybody on a boat. That being said, Alaskans are notorious for their free spirit and lack of strict rule following.
I took the above picture many years ago during deer season in the Kodiak Island Area. Sometimes unmitigated risk becomes a personal lifestyle approach for those who are constantly finding themselves in dangerous situations. Alaska fishermen in particular tend to thumb their noses at regulations that hinder any of their activities out on the water. I know I did back in my early years fishing in the 1970s and 1980s. Even under the most dangerous of situations, back during the boom years of crabbing, very few people wore any kind of PFD. Boats had them stashed somewhere, but most of us thought they were just to satisfy the regulators, and really served no purpose. They were hidden away in some damp musty closet or bench, and hadn’t been touched since they were stowed away. Boat owners had to supply them, but most of us didn’t know or care where they were. That was five decades ago. Times have changed.
Now that I have been researching Alaska shipwrecks and losses of life at sea for almost 50 years, I have become an enthusiastic advocate for personal floatation devices of all kinds. I have seen tens of thousands of stories of shipwrecks, men overboard, and skiff accidents, and the obvious value of something as simple as an inflatable belt or vest is demonstrated over and over.
The two main categories of floatation devices available today are the “inherently buoyant” and the “inflatable”. There are several types of each, usually represented as a “Type” followed by a Roman Numeral. New designations have recently been put out that use “Levels” instead of “Types”. The following chart showing use and performance of PFDs puts this in perspective. The higher the Level, the more floatation.
| Performance Rating / Type | Best Used For | Turning Performance |
| Level 100 / Type I | Offshore and rough, remote waters where rescue may be delayed. | Turns most unconscious wearers face-up. |
| Level 70 / Type II & III | General boating, inland lakes, and near-shore water sports. | Moderate to low face-up turning ability. |
| Level 50 | Sheltered waters close to rescue; must be worn to count. | Does not turn an unconscious person face-up. |
| Type IV | Throwable cushions or rings for boats ≥ 16 feet. | N/A (Not wearable). |
These days, there are so many good floatation devices, I recommend owning several easy to transport units, just in case you find yourself in some unforeseen emergency or are called upon to go out on a boat with less than optimal equipment. The following are a few examples I have picked out that anyone might want to own and bring along when heading out on the water.
Here is an example of an Inherently Buoyant Type I life vest. Owning one of your own, with your name stenciled on it hanging by the front door, is a good disaster repellant if you live anywhere near the water in Alaska. I call mine, my “Tsunami Jacket”.
The U S Coast Guard does not approve any InflatableType I life jackets, only Inherently Buoyant Type I are available.Â
Below are Inherently Buoyant Type II life jackets made by Kent and sold in a clear storage bag for easy identification.
The Inflatable Type II life vest is a more light weight and portable unit. Seen here is the Bluestorm Stratus 35. It is top of the line and easy to pack if you are traveling. It is U S Coast Guard Approved and fits adults with chest sizes from 30 to 52 inches.
Inflation of the Bluestorm 35 can be automatic or manual. Type II jackets are for use near shore.
The Inherently Buoyant Type III personal floatation device has a little less floatation capability than the Type I, so it is more comfortable to wear while working, paddling or any other activity involving upper body movement. This Stohlquist Type III is highly rated and comes with Coast Guard Approval.
The Bluestorm Cirrus 26 is an Inflatable Type III PFD. It is lighter to wear and provides slightly less floatation than the Bluestorm Stratus 35.
Type IV floatation devices consist of throwable rings or cushions. Here are a couple of popular examples.
Not all personal floatation devices are U S Coast Guard Approved, but they may be beneficial to own. For example, many pets escort their owners on water outings. There are some great pet personal floatation devices (PPFDs) that come with high recommendations.
The small dog PPFDs are even designed for use by a cat. The Queensmore extra small has a shark hunting theme.
You can click on any of the above images to get more information. All these and many other PFDs can be found on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
