What is the difference between a lifejacket and a PFD (Personal Floatation Device)?
A lifejacket holds the person wearing it upright. It turns the person over from face-down to face-up. A PFD will keep a person floating, but not necessarily face-up. A PFD is lighter and less bulky than a lifejacket. PFDs keep people warmer in the water because the floatation device is evenly distributed around the body.