Designation:F1823−97(Reapproved2012)StandardGuideforWaterRescuePersonalFlotationDevice(PFD)1ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF1823;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginaladoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon(´)indicatesaneditorialchangesincethelastrevisionorreapproval.1.Scope1.1Thisguidecoverstheminimumperformanceandsafetyrequirementsofawaterrescuelifejacket/PFD(PersonalFlo-tationDevice).1.2InrecognitionofmanybroadandvariedapplicationsofsuchPFD’s,manyoptionsareincluded.1.3Thisstandarddoesnotpurporttoaddressallofthesafetyconcerns,ifany,associatedwithitsuse.Itistheresponsibilityoftheuserofthisstandardtoestablishappro-priatesafetyandhealthpracticesanddeterminetheapplica-bilityofregulatorylimitationspriortouse.2.ReferencedDocuments2.1CodeofFederalRegulations:2160.047BuoyantVests160.052BuoyantVests160.053WorkVests160.060BuoyantVests160.064MarineBuoyantDevices160.076InflatableLifejackets160.077HybridInflatablePersonalFlotationDevice160.071ImmersionSuits3.Terminology3.1Definitions:3.1.1PersonalFlotationDevice,PFD,n—abuoyantdevicesuitableforusebyonepersoninwateremergencies.Thesedevicesmaybevests,ringbuoys,lifepreservers,cushions,andotherspecialpurposebuoyantdevices.4.SignificanceandUse4.1Thisguideisapplicabletoallwaterrescuesituations.Thewatersituation,weathersituation,andsizeofrescuer,willdictatewhattypeofPFDtoutilize.4.2Thisguidewillassistgovernmentagencies;state,local,orregionalorganizations;firedepartments;rescueteams;andotherswhoareresponsibleforpurchasingandequippingpersonnelwhorespondtowateremergencies.4.3Thisguideestablishescriteriathatshallbeconsideredintheperformance,specification,purchase,andacceptancetest-ingofawaterrescuePFD.5.Classification5.1ThisguideincludesthefollowingtypesofPFD’s:5.1.1TypeI—OffShoreLifePreserver.5.1.2TypeII—NearShoreBuoyantVest.5.1.3TypeIII—SpecialPurposeFlotationAid.5.1.4TypeIV—ThrowableDevices.5.1.5...
