UP Sports - Lifevests and PFDs

What is a PFD? PFD stands for Personal Flotation Device. It is the abbreviation standardized by the United States Coast Guard which, under U.S. Coast Guard Regulation Title 33, Chapter 1, Part 175, Subpart B says you must have U.S. Coast Guard approved PFDs on your recreational boat. How many and what kind of PFDs you will need depends on the number of people on board, the size of your boat and the kind of boating you will be doing.

Baja Back™ Extrasport created the first PFD with a thin lower back section to accommodate the seat backs and rests sold with most modern sit-on-tops and rec boats. We called it the Baja Back. The idea was a simple one, but this little innovation became so popular with paddlers of all types, we incorporated this feature in multiple styles.

There Are Five Categories of PFDs: · TYPE I PFD-Off Shore Life Jacket · TYPE II PFD-Near Shore Buoyant Vest · TYPE III PFD-Flotation Aid · TYPE IV PFD- Throwable Device · TYPE V PFD- Special Use Device

Almost all Extrasport designs are categorized as Type III PFDs. Type III PFDs are generally best suited for most recreational water sports where mobility and water play is involved. They also make some Type V Special Use Devices such as our Swiftwater rescuer’s vests, and about half the children’s vests are Type IIs.

Extrasport Comfort & Innovation For more than 25 years, comfort has been the primary goal in designing these PFDs. Extrasport has had many firsts over the years and designing for particular sports has lead them to find new ways of doing things. With Extrasport you’ll find unique designs and patented features throughout the line. Once you try one on you will know why Extrasport is first in comfort!

U.S. Coast Guard Requirement: The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all Type III PFDs have a minimum of 15.5 pounds of flotation at the time of manufacture. Since most adults wearing a bathing suit weigh between 10 and 12 pounds in the water, this requirement allows at least 3.5 pounds (15.5-12=3.5) of “extra” flotation or what we call Effective Required Buoyancy (ERB). All Extrasport PFDs are designed with extra flotation to exceed the U.S. Coast Guard requirements. When you purchase your new PFD, please refer to the U.S. Coast Guard “Think Safe” pamphlet which is repuired to be with each flotation aid when purchased.