Which PFD type is designed to be thrown to a person in water?

Which PFD type is designed to be thrown to a person in water?

• A. Type I
• B. Type II
• C. Type III
• D. Type IV

Answer: (D)

Type IV is the throwable flotation device. It’s not worn; instead, you keep it on deck and throw it to someone in the water to provide a target they can grab onto for buoyancy or to help bring them to safety. The other types are designed to be worn, offering buoyancy to the wearer—Type I for rough offshore conditions, Type II for nearshore situations, and Type III for recreational activities where the user can actively hold it on. Type V covers special-use devices, which may be wearable or used in specific circumstances. The key idea is that only Type IV is specifically intended to be thrown to a person in the water.

Type IV is the throwable flotation device. It’s not worn; instead, you keep it on deck and throw it to someone in the water to provide a target they can grab onto for buoyancy or to help bring them to safety. The other types are designed to be worn, offering buoyancy to the wearer—Type I for rough offshore conditions, Type II for nearshore situations, and Type III for recreational activities where the user can actively hold it on. Type V covers special-use devices, which may be wearable or used in specific circumstances. The key idea is that only Type IV is specifically intended to be thrown to a person in the water.