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PCOC Boating Test: Lifejackets and PFDs

Lifejacket types and sizes, how PFDs differ, inflatable PFD restrictions, fitting children, checking and caring for flotation devices, heaving lines, lifebuoys and reboarding devices.

  • 20 questions
  • Topic drill
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Lifejackets and PFDs · Question 1Score 0/0

You will be boating on water colder than 15°C. What kind of PFD does the guide suggest?

Study reference: Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026), Ch. Getting started — Personal lifesaving appliances, pp. 18–23

All 20 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. You will be boating on water colder than 15°C. What kind of PFD does the guide suggest?

    1. One with thermal protection
    2. One with a single chest belt
    3. Any PFD in a dark colour
    4. An inflatable pouch type

  2. Which safety feature should you look for on a child's lifejacket?

    1. A detachable hood
    2. A built-in inflation cartridge
    3. A dark navy shell
    4. A safety strap between the legs

  3. What colours do Canadian-approved lifejackets (as opposed to PFDs) come in?

    1. Any bright colour
    2. Red, orange or yellow
    3. Orange or blue only
    4. Yellow or green only

  4. Which is the right way to dry and store a lifejacket?

    1. Store it wet in a sealed locker
    2. Dry it on the engine cover
    3. Dry clean it after each season
    4. Air dry away from direct heat, store dry

  5. You are boating in late October with temperatures near freezing. Why might an inflatable PFD be a poor choice?

    1. It cannot be worn over a jacket
    2. It is only legal in summer
    3. Its CO2 cylinder may explode
    4. It inflates more slowly and floats less

  6. How does a PFD compare with a lifejacket?

    1. Approved only for children under 40 kg
    2. Required on all SOLAS vessels
    3. More comfortable, but less able to turn you face-up
    4. More flotation, and it turns you face-up much faster

  7. You try on a PFD and a friend lifts it straight up at the shoulders. The zipper reaches your nose. What does this tell you?

    1. It fits properly
    2. It is too loose
    3. It needs a crotch strap only
    4. It is too tight

  8. About what share of people who drown while boating were not wearing a lifejacket or PFD?

    1. About 90%
    2. About 70%
    3. About 50%
    4. About 25%

  9. When does an inflatable PFD count as the approved flotation device for a person on board?

    1. Only when inflated in storage
    2. Whenever it is within reach
    3. Only when stored in its pouch
    4. Only when it is being worn

  10. Which item is not approved safety equipment on any kind of boat?

    1. A small vessel lifejacket
    2. A lifebuoy
    3. A lifesaving cushion
    4. A buoyant heaving line

  11. Who does not need a lifejacket or PFD of appropriate size on board?

    1. Children under 5 and adults over 65
    2. Infants under 9 kg and chests over 140 cm
    3. Passengers on boats under 6 m
    4. Strong swimmers and certified divers

  12. At a minimum, how often should you check your PFD for damage and buoyancy?

    1. At least once a year
    2. Only when you buy it
    3. Every five years
    4. Every ten trips

  13. Which rope meets the rules for a buoyant heaving line?

    1. Any dock line at least 15 m long
    2. The anchor line, if it floats
    3. Two short floating ropes tied together to reach 15 m
    4. One continuous floating rope kept for safety only

  14. Which type of lifejacket turns an unconscious person face-up the fastest?

    1. Inflatable pouch PFD
    2. Small vessel lifejacket
    3. Standard lifejacket
    4. SOLAS lifejacket

  15. Your 4-year-old's PFD leaves a gap of about 10 cm between her shoulders and the device. What does this mean?

    1. It needs to be inflated
    2. It is too big for her
    3. It is too small for her
    4. It fits correctly

  16. A visitor from the United States brings her own lifejacket. Can she use it on a Canadian pleasure craft?

    1. Only if it has a Canadian label
    2. Only on boats under 6 m
    3. No, only Canadian-approved devices count
    4. Yes, if it fits and meets her home country's laws

  17. What is the minimum diameter of an approved lifebuoy?

    1. 610 mm (24 in)
    2. 760 mm (30 in)
    3. 500 mm (20 in)
    4. 450 mm (18 in)

  18. Which of these is an acceptable reboarding device?

    1. A dock line also used for mooring
    2. A swim platform ladder
    3. The outboard motor bracket
    4. The propeller housing

  19. You are operating a personal watercraft. Which flotation device is not allowed?

    1. A foam PFD vest
    2. An inflatable PFD
    3. A small vessel lifejacket
    4. A standard lifejacket

  20. A 14-year-old wants to wear her mother's inflatable PFD while tubing behind the boat. What is the problem?

    1. It must be inflated before boarding
    2. Nothing; inflatable PFDs suit all ages and activities
    3. Inflatables must be yellow
    4. Inflatables aren't allowed for under-16s or tubing

Lifejackets and PFDs: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Personal lifesaving appliances

  • About 90% of people who drown while boating were not wearing a lifejacket or PFD.
  • Wind, waves, cold water and injury can make it very hard or impossible to find and put one on in the water.
  • Kiteboarders and sailboarders should not wear a lifejacket/PFD with an automatic inflator (p. 14 note).

Lifejackets and PFDs

  • Lifesaving cushions are not approved safety equipment for any boat.
  • Visitors may use their own lifejackets if they fit and meet their home country's laws.
  • You must have an approved lifejacket or PFD that fits for each person on board.
  • Lifejackets: red, orange or yellow; more protection than PFDs. Three Canadian-approved types:
  • SOLAS: quickest to turn you face-up, even unconscious; sizes over / under 32 kg (70 lb).
  • Standard: slower; sizes over / under 40 kg (88 lb); keyhole.
  • Small vessel: slowest; sizes over 41 kg, 18-41 kg, under 18 kg; keyhole and vest.
  • PFDs: less protection (don't reliably roll you face-up), more comfortable, activity-specific, meant to be worn constantly.
  • High speeds: PFD with 3 or more chest belts. Cold water (under 15°C): PFD with thermal protection.
  • Attach a non-metallic, pealess whistle; choose a visible colour.
  • Inflatable PFDs: don't float until inflated, so they count as approved only when worn. Open boat: wear at all times; otherwise wear on deck or in the cockpit.
  • Inflatables not allowed: under 16, on a PWC, for high-impact activities (waterskiing, tubing, white-water). Recommended for swimmers; all have an oral inflation tube.

Inflatables in the cold; sizing exceptions

  • Near freezing an inflatable is less buoyant and inflates more slowly; in spring, fall, winter consider a non-inflatable PFD with thermal protection.
  • A device of appropriate size is not required for infants under 9 kg or people with a chest over 140 cm (55 in).
  • New shared Canada-US labels: approved in both countries; old labels: one country or the other.

Checking old devices

  • Check your PFD at least once a year (fading, straps, buckles, rips) and test that it floats you in shallow water.
  • Stop using and replace a damaged device; destroy it (remove straps, cut fabric, remove foam) before putting it in the trash.
  • Label shows weight range and chest size, approving department, approval number, testing lab.

Children

  • Child features: large collar, waist ties or elastic gathers, safety strap between the legs, buckles, reflective tape.
  • Should fit snugly, not ride up over chin or ears; more than 7.6 cm (3") between shoulders and device = too big.
  • No approved lifejackets or PFDs for infants under 9 kg (20 lb).
  • Children should wear one and be within arm's reach.
  • Fit test: fasten everything, raise arms; have someone lift at the shoulders; if the zipper touches your nose or it nearly comes off, it is too loose.

Care, heaving lines, lifebuoys, reboarding devices

  • Test float in a pool or shallow water: relax, head back, face should stay above water.
  • Ripped or poor-condition devices must not be used. Dry in open air away from direct heat/sunlight; store dry, ventilated, reachable; don't dry clean (mild soap, running water); never sit, kneel or use as a fender.
  • Buoyant heaving line: floats, good condition, one full length (no tied pieces), long enough, used only as safety equipment.
  • Lifebuoys: Transport Canada approval; at least 610 mm (24") diameter; smaller rings and horseshoe types not approved.
  • Reboarding device: transom or swim-platform ladder, or a rope used for nothing else. Never use the motor or its brackets to climb aboard.

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