PFDs, Personal Floatation Devices, have been tested and approved by agencies that address the safety of boat operators and crews. These devices are either made of highly buoyant materials (rated Type I-III) or made with inflatable chambers (Type V) that can inflate (both automatically or manually) with an armed inflation mechanism. One PFD fitted for each person aboard and rated Type I, II, III or Type V is required by the U.S. Coast Guard on all boats regardless of length.
The inflatable jacket or vest is generally rated as Type V PFD (Special Use Device) with flotation performance qualities further defined by a USCG rating that establish its amount of buoyancy, in-water performance for in-shore and off-shore survival, and its type of inflation mechanism. Check these ratings to help determine the right PFD to buy for your boating activity.
The inflatable PFD when uninflated is less bulky than the inherently buoyant jacket. All inflatables contain a backup oral-inflation tube, which also serves as the deflation tube. Look here for many of the popular varieties of Inflatable Harnesses and Jackets. Most are Coast Guard approved and routinely used by boaters of inshore and offshore waters. We also stock many of the Re-Arm Kits used to regenerate the inflation mechanisms of these auto-inflating PFDs.