In the United States, the terms PFD and Lifejacket are often interchanged. The main reason for this is that the USCG, who makes the regulations in the United States, uses the term interchangeably. We will review the USCG classification of PFDs in another post. Our neighbors to the north in Canada believe this is an error. In Canadian literature, there are some distinct differences between the two. In this article, we will focus on the difference as defined by Canadian Safety Code.
Lets begin with the PFD. PFD is the abbreviation for Personal Flotation Device. As the name indicates, it is a personal device used for flotation. The purpose of the PFD is to provide buoyancy or lift to a single user in the water. This lift is meant to help a conscious person be able to keep his/her head above water. According to USCG, the term “PFD” is used in regulatory language and refers to a USCG-approved buoyant device designed to assist in keeping a person afloat in the water.
One difference between PFDs and Lifejackets is PFDs are less buoyant than a Lifejacket, but are still effective at providing additional support in the water. Another difference is in bulk. PFDs are often less bulky than Lifejackets. This difference in bulk is why many paddlers choose a PFD. The design of PFDs allows for greater comfort and maneuverability for the wearer.
Now to the Lifejacket. Again, there is no formal distinction according to the USCG. It is useful to think about function to distinguish the Lifejacket from the PFD. For an unconcious wearer, the lifejacket is supposed to be able to turn someone who is face down to face up even in rough, open water. Lifejackets typically have most of the buoyant material in the front of the device. They are bright orange to aid rescuers in spotting a person in need. In Canada, to be considered a Lifejacket, it also needs to have a whistle.
In summary, the difference between a PFD and Lifejacket may simply be determined on where you are. In Canada, there are very specific differences. In the USA, it is the same thing. Just make sure to pick the right one for your needs. It is always better to err on the side of caution. Click here to learn how to pick the right paddle for your needs. Be safe out there and we will see you on the water.