What is a throw-able Flotation device or Type IV device.
Any boat
on the water should have a Throw-able flotation device on board. These are Type
IV devises and they are designed to be grasp or be held onto by the user when he
is in the water to keep him afloat. These are typically thrown to a person who
has fallen overboard.
There are 3 types of throw-able types: a buoyant cushion, a
life ring or ring buoy, and a horseshoe.
The buoyant cushion is usually a 15” square by 4” thick
cushion made of a floating material and the cushion has two grab straps on
opposite sides for holding the PFD to your chest. It is easily thrown to
someone in the water, and can be used to sit on for comfort.
The life ring or ring buoy is a floating ring that has a rope
around the circumference for holding on to. The standard sizes are 20”, 24”,
and 30” in the outside diameter. These are also easily thrown.
The horseshoe is like the ring buoy but with an open side.
The open side makes it easier to get inside the PFD. It is also easily thrown
and it is commonly on sailboats.
A type IV PFD must have at least 20 pounds of buoyancy to be
legal and most have about 32 pounds of buoyancy.
Any boat should have a throw-able PFD. They are easy to use
and quick to deploy.
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