PFDs
Boaters' safety vests
PFDs are personal flotation devices—life jackets, life vests, and similar buoyant gear designed to keep a person afloat in water.
The term appears in boating regulations, safety instructions, and maritime contexts: Make sure everyone has a PFD before we leave the dock.
Coast Guard rules typically require one PFD per passenger on recreational vessels.
Wearable flotation device
- life vestWearable buoyancy aid
- flotationAbility to stay afloat
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- kayakingNavigating slim watercraft seated
canoeing · sailing · yachting · rowing · paddleboarding · marina · dock · nautical
Armed service protecting waterways
- approvedOfficially accepted or permitted
- certifiedOfficially declared valid
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
inspection · commercial · vessel · maritime law · enforcement · labeling · testing · manufacturer
Wearable flotation device
- flotationAbility to stay afloat
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- wakeboardingTowed board sport on water
- waterskiingPlaning across water, towed
jetskiing · windsurfing · kitesurfing · tubing · rafting · surfing · snorkeling · swimming
Ability to stay afloat
- rescueSave from harm
- adriftFloating without control
- man overboardAlert for fallen sailor
- shipwreckDestroyed vessel at sea
hypothermia · immersion · exposure · beacon · signal · locator · visibility · orange
Ability to stay afloat
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- drowning preventionStopping aquatic fatalities
- rescueSave from harm
- emergencySerious sudden danger
precaution · protection · visibility · reflective · whistle · strobe · light · harness
life jacket
Wearable flotation device
kayaking · canoeing · sailing · yachting · rowing · paddleboarding · marina · dock · nautical · deckhand
Coast Guard
Armed service protecting waterways
- approvedOfficially accepted or permitted
- certifiedOfficially declared valid
- complianceAdhering to requirements
standards · inspection · commercial · vessel · maritime law · enforcement · labeling · testing · manufacturer · rating
life jacket
Wearable flotation device
- flotationAbility to stay afloat
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- wakeboardingTowed board sport on water
waterskiing · jetskiing · windsurfing · kitesurfing · tubing · rafting · surfing · snorkeling · swimming · hydrofoil
flotation
Ability to stay afloat
- rescueSave from harm
- adriftFloating without control
- man overboardAlert for fallen sailor
shipwreck · hypothermia · immersion · exposure · beacon · signal · locator · visibility · orange · reflective tape
flotation
Ability to stay afloat
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- drowning preventionStopping aquatic fatalities
- rescueSave from harm
emergency · precaution · protection · visibility · reflective · whistle · strobe · light · harness · tether
- water safetylifeguards, CPR, rescue tube, life jacket, drowning prevention
- boating safetylife jackets, life vests, fire extinguisher, fire extinguishers, flares
PFDsweights
Heavy objects for lifting
dive weights · sinkers · anchors · lead weights · weight belts