MANDATORY CARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS
Federal regulations in 33 CFR 175-1993 require you to carry Coast
Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) legibly marked
with the Coast Guard approval number which are in good and
serviceable condition and are the correct size for each person on
board. To be considered serviceable, this PFD shall not exhibit
deterioration that could diminish its performance such as broken
or deformed hardware, detached webbing, rotted structural
components, air leaks, or nonfunctional oral inflation tube. Unless
worn, this PFD must also be properly armed with a full CO2
cylinder, inflation system status indicator, and an accessible manual
inflation lanyard. A PFD which is “approved only when worn” or
“required to be worn” must be worn under the specified conditions.
What is an Air-only PFD?
While traditional PFDs are inherently buoyant, air-only PFDs rely
entirely upon inflation for buoyancy. Uninflated, the inflatable PFD
is a comfortable, waist belt pack that can be inflated at any time
with a 33 gram CO2 gas cylinder. The inflatable PFD is designed
to meet the demands of a full protection PFD offering maximum
mobility with minimum bulk. The inflatable PFD can be inflated
either manually by jerking a pull tab, or orally by mouth. It is
recommended that you familiarize yourself with the procedures
outlined in INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Sizing and Fit
The PFD provides 33.7 lbs of buoyancy and is designed for wearers
with a chest range of 30-52 inches weighing over 80 pounds.
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