U.S. Coast Guard (life jacket approval)

What it is

The U.S. Coast Guard approves personal flotation devices against federal performance standards. "USCG-approved" is the one verifiable attribute that separates a life jacket from a swim toy.

What it covers

Approval types for personal flotation devices, including sizing by weight and intended use. Products carrying approval are labeled with it; inflatable arm bands, water wings, and neck rings are not approved flotation devices and are marketed as toys.

How to verify

The approval is printed on the device label. Coast Guard PFD guidance pages describe the types and what each is rated for.

How SafeMama uses it

The anti-recommendation is the point: the Yard & Pool zone leads with "USCG-approved, not floaties," because the most common poolside product is the one that provides no protection. This resource is registered now so those pages inherit resolved attribution when the zone ships.

Limitations / conflicts

Approval covers the device, not supervision — no flotation device substitutes for touch-supervision or a four-sided fence, and SafeMama never frames it as one. No conflicts of interest: public-domain federal data.