Emergency Rescue Procedures

All boats, powered or non-powered, must carry at least one Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for every person aboard. PFDs bearing Coast Guard approval are identified b y Types I, II, III, IV, or V. Failure to have a sufficient number of approved devicesaboard constitutes a violation of state and federal law.

The minimum requirements are:

- Except canoes and kayaks, all boats 16 feet or more in length: One wearable life jacket (Type I, II, III, or V) for each person on board and one throwable (Type IV) in each boat.
- Canoes and kayaks of any length and all other boats less than 16 feet in length and all other boats less than 16 feet in length: One I, II, III, IV, or V PFD for each person on board.

California Boating Law requires that all Type I, II, and III PFDs must be readily accessible and all Type IV (throwable) PFDs must be immediately available.


Off-Shore Life Jacket (Type I PFD) Best in open, rough or remote water where rescue may be slow. Type Is float you best, turn most unconscious wearers face up in the water and are highly visible	Throwable Device (Type IV PFD) Use in calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic where help is always nearby. Type IVs do not help unconscious persons and are not designed for non-swimmers or children. Type IVs are not suitable for many hours in rough water.

Near-Shore Buoyant Vest (Type II PFD) Good in calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of fast rescue. With less bulk, Type IIs will turn many, but not all, unconscious wearers face up in the water, but Type IIs are not suitable for long hours in rough water.	Hybrid Device (Type V PFD) High flotation when inflated. Good for continuous wear. However, may not adequately float some wearers unless this PFD is partially inflated. Type Vs require active use and care of inflation chamber.

Flotation Aid (Type III PFD) Good in calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of fast rescue. Generally the most comfortable PFD. Type IIIs are not good for use in rough water and the wearer may have to tilt head back to avoid face down position in the water.