From The U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan Coalition:
The U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan Coalition, Inc. has released the National Recommendations for U.S. Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and Life Jacket Use—A Working Document, a collaborative resource intended to support more consistent guidance, education, and public messaging around life jacket and PFD use across the United States.
Created in response to Action Recommendations and National Implications outlined in the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan, the document brings together current best practices and considerations related to U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) and life jackets for boating, open water recreation, pools, instructional environments, and supervised aquatic activities.
Key Topics Covered
The publication explores a wide range of topics, including:
- Consistent Terminology and Messaging: Guidance on unified language and public messaging around life jackets and PFDs.
- Environment and Activity Guidance: Recommendations tailored for different water environments and activities.
- Age and Ability Recommendations: Advice for age- and ability-specific use.
- Fit, Selection, and Maintenance: Proper fit, selection, maintenance, and performance considerations.
- Layers of Protection: Strategies combining life jackets/PFDs with supervision, water competency, swim instruction, barriers, and education.
- Policy and Risk Management: Policy, education, and risk management considerations.
- Access: Ensuring access to water safety resources and equipment for everyone.
Emphasis on Layers of Protection
The document highlights that while life jackets and PFDs are proven drowning prevention tools, their effectiveness increases when combined with additional layers of protection such as active supervision, water competency, swim instruction, barriers, and public education.
Audience and Collaboration
Developed collaboratively by the USNWSAP Life Jacket Working Group alongside water safety professionals, agencies, advocates, and organizations committed to advance drowning prevention nationwide, this working document is intended to support water safety professionals, aquatic agencies, educators, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations working to create safer aquatic environments across the United States.
As a working document, the publication is intended to help strengthen alignment across the water safety sector while supporting future discussion, education, policy development, and community implementation efforts.
