The U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan Coalition (USNWSAP) has released new national recommendations for the use of U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) and life jackets across a range of aquatic environments and activities.
Developed as part of the coalition’s National Water Safety Action Plan, the resource is intended to support consistent education and messaging on life jacket and PFD use for boating, open-water recreation, pools, instructional settings, and supervised aquatics programs.
The document provides recommendations for using life jackets and PFDs in different water environments and activities, with guidance tailored to factors such as age, swimming ability, and level of supervision.
It also addresses proper fit, selection, maintenance, and performance, while outlining how these devices can be combined with other layers of protection to enhance water safety.
Additional sections focus on policy development, education, risk management, and strategies for improving access to life jackets and PFDs, with the goal of promoting a unified approach to water safety messaging and practices.
