Turkish Coast Guard Command - Types Of Lifejackets

Types Of Lifejackets

Life jackets are classified in 3 classes according to their floatation material/method and 5 types according to the area of usage.

Inherentyle Buoyant (Primarily Foam)

Inflatable

Hybrid (Foam & Inflation)

TYPE I: OFFSHORE LIFEJACKETS

When cruising, racing and fishing offshore or boating alone or in stormy conditions.
Best for open, rough, or remote water where rescue may be slow to arrive.
Will turn MOST unconscious wearers face-up in water.
Offers the best protection, but is somewhat bulky and uncomfortable.
Does the best job of retaining body heat, as it has additional foam and fabric, and keeps, your head higher above water.

TYPE II: NEAR SHORE BUOYANT VEST

Good for protected, inland water near shore, where chances of immediate rescue is good. Not suitable for extended survival in rough water. Will turn SOME unconscious wearers face-up in water.
Poor performer in rough water, often requires you to tread water in order to keep your head above water.
More comfortable but less buoyant than Type I. Provides far less flotation than Type I.

TYPE III: FLOTATION AID

Supervised activities, such as sailing regattas, dinghy races, water skiing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and during personal watercraft operation.
Good for protected, inland water near shore, where chance of immediate rescue is good.
Not suitable for extended survival in rough water. Not design to turn unconscious people face up in water.
More comfortable to wear than a Type I or Type II, but provides far less flotation than a Type I.

TYPE IV THROWABLE DEVICE

A Type IV is designed to be thrown to an overboard victim or supplement the buoyancy of a person overboard. It is not to be worn.
A Type IV throwable device can be a square style or a ring buoy or horshoe buoy mounted on deck.
A Type IV is not for unconscious persons, non-swimmers or children.

TYPE V: SPECIAL USE DEVICE

Restricted to the special us efor which each is designed, for example: sailboard harness, deck suit, paddling vest, commerical white water vest or float coats.
A Type V lifejacket provide performance of either a Type I, II, or III lifejacket (as marked on its label) and must be used according to the label requirements.