Baja Marine 342 manual Lifesaving Equipment

Section 1 • Safety

5.Lifesaving Equipment

!WARNING

Have all passengers and the operator wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times when boating.

When someone is overboard, it can be too late to have them put on a PFD.

Even strong swimmers can tire quickly in the water and drown due to exhaustion, hypothermia, or both. The buoyancy provided by a personal flotation device (PFD) will allow the person who has fallen overboard to remain afloat with far less effort and heat loss, extending survival time necessary to find and retrieve them.

Boat operators are required to carry one wearable personal flotation device (Type I, II, III or V) for every person on board. Boats must also have at least one throwable device (Type IV).

The law requires that PFDs must be readily accessible, if not worn. "Readily accessible" means removed from storage bags and unbuckled. But, children and non-swimmers must wear PFDs at all times when aboard. It is common sense to have everyone on board wearing PFDs. A throwable device must also be right at hand and ready to toss.

PFD Classifications:

(FIG. 1.4.1)	Off-Shore Life Jacket (Type I) – most
	buoyant, it is designed to turn an
	unconscious person face up; used in
	all types of waters where rescue may
	be slow, particularly in cold or rough
	conditions.

(FIG. 1.4.2) Near-Shore Life Vest (Type II) – "keyhole" vest with flotation-filled head and neck support is also designed to turn a person face up, but the turning action is not as pronounced; used in calm, inland waters or where quick rescue is likely.

(FIG. 1.4.3)	Flotation Aid (Type III) – vest is
	designed so conscious wearers can
	turn face up; often designed for
	comfort while engaged in sports such
	as skiing.
(FIG. 1.4.4)	Throwable Devices (Type IV) –
	horseshoe buoys, ring buoys and
	buoyant cushions are designed to be
	grasped, not worn.

(FIG. 1.4.5)	Special-Use Devices (Type V) –
	sailboat harnesses, white-water
	vests, float coats, and hybrid vests
	which have minimum inherent
	buoyancy and an inflatable
	chamber.

Before purchasing PFDs, ensure that there is an attached tag indicating they are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard or by your national boating law enforcement agency.

Children and non-swimmers must wear PFDs at all times when aboard.

•All passengers and crew should wear them.

•A loose PFD is often useless in an emergency.

•The operator is responsible for instructing everyone aboard on the location and use of PFDs.

•Size PFDs for the wearer. Children require special attention in the use of PFDs.

•Test PFD buoyancy at least once a year.

1.4 342 Performance®