The Boat Crew Survival Vest should only be worn under a PFD.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in Cold Weather
• D. Never Wear with PFD

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is how protective gear is layered to keep you safe and visible. A Boat Crew Survival Vest is intended to be worn on top of the PFD, not under it. The PFD is your primary flotation device and must stay positioned and functional; the survival vest adds extra visibility, quick-access gear, and sometimes additional buoyancy, so it needs to be worn over the PFD where you can see it, reach its features, and not have it compress or interfere with the PFD’s flotation or inflation. Wearing it under the PFD could hide the vest’s bright color and reflective material and could hinder the PFD’s performance. So the statement is not correct; you wear the survival vest over the PFD.