New USCG PFD Regulations Ease Life Jacket Selection-from Boating magazine

[FSH 210 Sport]

Got this in an email from Boating magazine.. supposed to be simpler but although there are now just three levels, 50, 70, 100, in the article below it doesn’t really explain what the differences are in so far as self inflating which used to be worn to be counted as require PFD’s on board.

New USCG PFD Regulations Ease Life Jacket Selection

USCG has updated standards for life jackets simplifying consumer selection and manufacturer design and construction red tape.

boatingmag.com

I went here and….. it was kind of clear as mud. Checking around I found references to the old type listing.. maybe @Thermobrett can clear this up for us?

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/CG-ENG-4/PFD/

 

[Thermobrett]

My understanding is that self inflating is not considered a PDF you can count as it requires some type of manual assistance. They way it was explained to us is that if somebody was to fall overboard you couldn't throw them a manual inflating PDF as it requires them to perform a task. Unlike a throwable or standard vest that they could quickly grab ahold of. To me, technology is advancing faster that specifications are and may be lagging. Here is a good article that might clear that mud.
New U.S. Coast Guard Life Jacket Rules for 2025: What Boaters Need to Know

 

[TeeNGee]

My understanding is that self inflating PFD only count if they are being worn.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

My understanding is that self inflating PFD only count if they are being worn.

That is my understanding as well.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

My understanding is that self inflating is not considered a PDF you can count as it requires some type of manual assistance. They way it was explained to us is that if somebody was to fall overboard you couldn't throw them a manual inflating PDF as it requires them to perform a task. Unlike a throwable or standard vest that they could quickly grab ahold of. To me, technology is advancing faster that specifications are and may be lagging. Here is a good article that might clear that mud.
New U.S. Coast Guard Life Jacket Rules for 2025: What Boaters Need to Know

Thanks! That article you linked is not surprisingly much more enlightening than the Boating magazine article, but at least Boating is getting the word out there about the changes…a link to this article would have been great.

This chart below simplifies things a lot. I have six of what would now be classified as 150 automatic self inflating / manual, just made sense to me to have the maximum buoyancy available in the selection at the stores around here, AND with the thought it has the ability to turn my pie hole up to the air if I hit the water unconscious. I also have one 150 automatic self inflating / manual that is a west marine off shore style with built in stainless steel D rings that I can attach a lanyard to in the event I’m fishing in bigger / cold water, trolling, that would keep me tethered to the boat so I could pull myself back on board if I fell overboard. This last bit is critical in the spring where water temperatures are in the 30’s, you don’t have very much time to get out of the water before you’d be unable to, maybe five minutes max.

Cold Water Immersion Stages and Hypothermia Chart

Learn about the four stages of cold water immersion and the hypothermia chart to understand the effects of cold shock, swimming failure, and more.

driveaboatusa.com

Noted in the article @Thermobrett linked is USCG data showing reduced drownings associated with more comfortable PFD’s, sometimes I forget I have mine on. Because of a story I heard about when I first started boating wherein a a couple came to the boat ramp and found a pick up with the boat trailer in the water and the truck running, but no boat and no person around. They alerted the authorities and a search was conducted, and the boat was found down river with no one in it, later the owner and older retired guy was found floating face down with no PFD, apparently he had either fallen and hit his head when launching the boat or perhaps had a heart attack that wasn’t made clear. So I promised my friends that whenever I am launching or retrieving my boat, or “sport boating” I would always wear a PFD. Yeah I get some weird looks from the ”cool guys” when I’m walking up to my truck to retrieve my boat, but I don’t care. I’ve also had people comment that it was good to see somebody wearing their PFD. In fact, one of my boating friends just took a header getting onto his boat at the dock, thankfully all that happened was a barked shin and broken pair of sunglasses.