All about life Jackets, PFD'S

Adult Life Jackets

Children's Life Vests

Swiftwater Rescue

River Connection proudly offers a wide range of Coast Guard approved PFD styles from leading manufacturers. Most adults wearing a bathing suit weigh between 10 and 12 lbs. in the water. The more muscle you have, the more flotation you need. Higher flotation brings you to the surface faster and floats you higher in the water. River Connection carries Type II, III, V, and III/V PFDs. The maximum PFD flotation offered through River Connection is the Extrasport B-27 at 27 lbs + or -. Check out our Swiftwater Furry and the Universal Rescue.

Here's the Most Important Fact About Life jackets!
Life...Life-Vest...PFD...or Personal Floatation Devise. No matter what you call it -It won't work if you don't Wear it!

What You Need to Know about Life Vests for Children

Why Should Your Child Wear a Life Vest?
Drowning is often silent, takes as little as five minutes and usually happens when an adult is nearby. No one can watch a child every second. Here are guidelines for wearing PFDs:

• Children between birth and five years: on beaches, docks and in boats.
• Children between the ages of 6-11: on docks, boats, inner tubes and river banks.
• Teens and adults: on boats or inner tubes.

Coast Guard Approval Ratings

Type I provides the most buoyancy. It is effective for all waters, especially open, rough or remote waters where rescue may be delayed. It is designed to turn most unconscious wearers in the water to a face-up position.

Type II is intended for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. Inherent buoyant PFDs of this type will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as a Type I. This type of inflatable turns as well as a Type I foam PFD.

Type III good for conscious users in calm, inland water, or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. It is designed so wearers can place themselves in a face-up position in the water. The wearer may have to tilt their head back to avoid turning face-down in the water. The Type III foam vest has the same minimum buoyancy as a Type II PFD. It comes in many styles, colors, and sizes and is generally the most comfortable type for continuous wear. Float coats, fishing vests, and vests are designed with features suitable for various sports activities are examples of this type PFD. This type inflatable turns as well as a Type II foam PFD.

Type IV intended for calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic, where help is always present. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held on to by the user until rescued -- It is not designed to be worn. Type IV devices include buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. There are no inflatable Type IV devices.

Type V are Intended for specific activities and may be carried instead of worn like another PFD only if used according to the approval condition(s) on its label. A Type V PFD provides performance of either a Type I, II, or III PFD (as marked on its label). If the label says the PFD is "approved only when worn" the PFD must be worn, except for persons in enclosed spaces and used in accordance with the approval label, to meet carriage requirements. Some Type V devices provide significant hypothermia protection. Varieties include deck suits, work vests, and board sailing vests.

Buoyancy Means You'll Float. If You Wear One!

Most adults need an extra 7 to 12 pounds of buoyancy to keep their head above water. Below is a list of minimum buoyancies for each type of PFD:

• Type I ----------------------------------- 22 lbs.
• Type II ---------------------------------- 15.5 lbs.
• Type III --------------------------------- 15.5 lbs.
• Ring Buoy ------------------------------- 16.5 lbs.
• Boat Cushion ---------------------------- 18 lbs.
• Hybrid inflatable ------------------------- 22 / 7.5 lbs.
• Special use device ----------------------- 15.5 to 22 lbs.