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Originally Posted by Misty Blue
Took an upgrade class in Ft. Lauderdale last January (tough to take!) and they told me that there has been a change.
Type IIs are still legal on non-commercial vessels as a wearable PFD. The change is in their construction. They will not be made with Kapok (that fiber-fill looking stuff) any more. The flotation (I think 15.5 lbs.) must be made out of foam. The reason was that the kapok was sealed in bags and if the bag rips the kapok can waterlog while the foam types will not.
The last that I heard was that the old, kapok type are still allowed provided that they are in "servicable condition".
I'll double check with the CG but that is what they told me at the school.
Hope this helps.
Misty Blue
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A lot of people don't realize that the Kapok Type II's are referred to as "near shore" vests because of the anticipated quick rescue if you are closer to the shore. This is because the Kapok will become waterlogged and ineffective (ie: you sink). So, you won't float forever with one of those.