PPE INFO

1. This is a consolidation of information already available to the auxiliary in publications, ALAUX’s, or through the Regional Directors or OTO’s.

2. Requirements for lifejackets are contained in the Auxiliary Operations Manual Chapter 4.E.13 Personal Flotation Device. It outlines the basic rules.

A. Shall wear the appropriate CG approved Type I, II, or III inherently buoyant OR CG approved automatic/manual inflatable PFD. See PPE Table

B. Lifejackets shall be international orange or high visibility yellow (all crew should have the same color if not type). Inflatables must also comply by having these colors visible while properly worn un-inflated. As a lesser concern beyond safety it is important for the public to see from a distance everyone on patrol wearing a lifejacket.

C. PWO's shall only use inherently buoyant Type I, II, or III lifejackets with a minimum dynamic strength test rating of 50mph. (no inflatables are allowed for PWC's)

3. The ALAUX 006/08 PFD Requirements went on to add that any surface facility that can exceed 35mph must comply with the USCG mandate of having to use 50mph rated lifejackets for crew and guests. No changes were made to surface facilities that could not exceed 35mph, PWC’s, or any shore side activities which may require or recommend lifejacket wear.

4. Information has been distributed to DIRAUX's and the auxiliary that covered which Coast Guard vests were retroactively tested and approved since many members wear vests listed in the Rescue & Survival Manual purchased either by DIRAUX or received from Active Duty units as hand-me-downs. Message traffic has also been released by the Office of Boat Forces in regards to the inflatables that were waived and considered usable for active duty in lieu of rated lifejackets (which we have included the auxiliary in on). Nothing made a particular make/model mandatory except for the fact Coast Guard funds can only be used for types listed in the R&S manual or for their commercial Auxiliary equivalent. Again, the information released on specific model types was an attempt by this office to keep auxiliarists from throwing away something in their possession that was still good and should not be read beyond that as an authorization or mandate for a specific lifejacket.

5. There are a few misconceptions when it comes to Auxiliarists lifejackets.

A. First and foremost, there is no requirement for auxiliary lifejackets to be marked 'USCG AUXILIARY'.  The markings have always been optional but are the only markings authorized.

B. There are currently no inflatable lifejackets that have been tested and Coast Guard approved for 50mph Dynamic Strength rating. If you are on a facility that can exceed 35mph and want an inflatable it must be one of the ones the CG felt comfortable with enough to accept the risks and waived for our own use. The active duty types are the LSC 485CG Inflatable, LSC 481CG/481CGM Inflatable, Mustang MD3183 Inflatable, and the Mustang MD0450 22 Inflatable. Remember- these specific vests listed are the active duty MILSPEC PFD’s and may or may not have a commercial equivalent available for auxiliary purchase. Mustang lifejackets for example designate CG MILSPEC lifejackets as MK22 and designate their commercial version available for auxiliarists as MK34. The MD0450 on the other hand does not have a commercial version as the pocket configuration called for by MILSPEC can’t be accommodated and therefore does not have an auxiliary version available. Again, this is not an authorization for auxiliarists to purchase the MILSPEC lifejackets but is in recognition that many auxiliarists may be in possession of them purchased by active duty units.

C. The inflatable lifejackets distributed by Boating Safety for the ‘Wear It’ campaign are not authorized for use on surface patrols. They do not meet the specifications required by the Auxiliary Ops Policy Manual.

6. The two spare lifejackets required to be kept onboard facilities do not need to be 50mph rated. The reasoning is the intended use of the spare jackets. They are not intended to be used for crew and guests who are required to have properly rated life jackets. They are for PIW's or for passengers of a vessel being towed. The logic being that generally the high speed ops are going to be conducted 'getting on scene' and not 'on scene'. On the active duty side the vests would be considered 'survivor vests' and not have to meet the same standards as crew.

7. As a note on rated lifejackets, the rating is based on tests the manufacturer has done and is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). A rating of 50mph simply means, through the majority of tests, the lifejacket stayed attached and in working condition after hitting the water from a platform going 50mph and that rating is read as “up to 50mph”. Certainly, regardless of what the Coast Guard requires you to wear or being on patrol or not, it’s an important matter of personal safety, for both you and the people on the facility with you, for everyone to wear a vest rated for what you are on.