What should a PFD be attached to in order to be pulled after exiting?

What should a PFD be attached to in order to be pulled after exiting?

• A. A Rope
• B. A Line
• C. A Buoy
• D. A Belt

Answer: (B)

Having a retrieval line on a PFD makes recovery practical and safer. If someone exits the water or you need to bring the PFD back to the boat, the line gives you a direct, controlled way to pull it in without reaching into the water or chasing after it. The line is typically secured to a strong attachment point on the PFD so it won’t slip or cause entanglement, and it should be long enough to reach from the boat to where recovery will happen. A belt isn’t used for pulling the PFD, and a buoy won’t assist with bringing the PFD back to the vessel. While a rope can serve the same purpose, the standard term for this purpose on boats is a retrieval line, so knowing to attach to a line is the practical, correct approach.

Having a retrieval line on a PFD makes recovery practical and safer. If someone exits the water or you need to bring the PFD back to the boat, the line gives you a direct, controlled way to pull it in without reaching into the water or chasing after it. The line is typically secured to a strong attachment point on the PFD so it won’t slip or cause entanglement, and it should be long enough to reach from the boat to where recovery will happen.

A belt isn’t used for pulling the PFD, and a buoy won’t assist with bringing the PFD back to the vessel. While a rope can serve the same purpose, the standard term for this purpose on boats is a retrieval line, so knowing to attach to a line is the practical, correct approach.