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Course Outline

Type II life jacket with legacy label

Courtesy of U.S. Boat Foundation

Traditional labels identified the life jacket’s type: I, II, III, or V.

Type II: Nearshore Buoyant Vests

  • Minimum buoyancy: 15.5 pounds for adults
  • Suitable for calm, inland waters where quick rescue is likely
  • Less buoyant than Type I
  • May include inflatable options (minimum buoyancy of 34 pounds) that are more comfortable but not meant for children under 16
  • May not turn an unconscious person face-up as reliably
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