Operating instructions

12 SAFETY INFORMATION
TYPE IV — THROWABLE
PFD Type V, Wearable must be worn.
When inflated, it provides buoyancy
equivalent to Type I, Il or III PFDs.
When it is deflated, however, it may
not support some people.
TYPE V — WEARABLE
PFD Pointers
The purpose of a PFD is to help save
your life. If you want it to support you
when you are in the water, it needs to
fit, float, and be in good condition.
– Try the PFD on and adjust it until it
fits comfortably in and out of the wa-
ter. Mark your PFD if you are the only
wearer.
– To make sure the PFD works, wear it
in the water. This will show you how
it works and give you confidence
when you use it.
– Teach children how to put a PFD on
and allow them to try it in the water.
That way, they know what the PFD
is for and how it works. They will feel
more comfortable with it if they sud-
denly find themselves in the water.
– If the PFD is wet, allow it to dry thor-
oughly before storing it. Do not dry
it in front of a radiator or heater.
Store it in a well-ventilated area.
– Keep PFDs away from sharp ob-
jects which can tear the fabric or
puncture the flotation pads.
– For their own safety and the safety of
others, all non-swimmers, poor
swimmers, and small children should
wear PFD’s at all times whether the
boat is stationary or moving.
– Check the PFD frequently to make
sure that it is not torn, that flotation
pads have no leaks, and that all
seams and joints are securely sewn.
– If a PFD contains kapok, the kapok
fibers may become waterlogged
and lose their buoyancy after the vi-
nyl inserts are punctured. If the kapok
becomes hard or if it is soaked with
water, replace it. It may not work
when you need it.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia, the loss of body heat to
the water, is a significant cause of
deaths in boating accidents. After an
individual has succumbed to hypother-
mia, he or she will lose consciousness
and then drown.
PFDs can increase survival time be-
cause of the insulation they provide.
Naturally, the warmer the water, the
less insulation one will require. When
operating in cold water (below 40°F)
consideration should be given to using
a coat or jacket style PFD as they cover
more of the body than the vest style
PFDs.
F00A2FY
F00A2GY
lmo2004-004a_safety.fm Page 12 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 11:18 AM