Life Jackets: For Your Safety

 

Life Jackets: For Your Safety


Life jackets have come a long way since the gigantic orange foam squares we all grew to love and hate at summer camp.  While we all enjoy feeling the sun and spray while out on the lake, life jackets are crucial to a successful and safe day.life jackets 2  Having or enjoying time on boats should include a working knowledge of life jackets and a diligent habit of wearing them at all times.  Today, life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many of which are thin and flexible, making them more comfortable to wear.

Life Vests and Jackets

There are three types of life vests or life jackets: foam, inflatable and hybrid.  Boat facts show that foam life vests are the type we all recognize immediately, and are best for both swimmers and life jackets 1non-swimmers.  There are generally considered the most reliable because there is no additional work needed to activate the vest in the event of an emergency and they are designed to turn most unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water.  An inflatable vest is more compact and comfortable to wear and can be activated by the wearer but most have an auto inflation device. An inflatable vest is intended for calm water or areas where a quick rescue is both possible and probable.  A hybrid vest is a mixture between the two.

Life Jacket Requirements

When purchasing a boat, you should also be purchasing enough life jackets for everyone on board.  Lifejackets should always be kept on board at all times.  The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all boats must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and over must have at least one throwable flotation device as well.life jackets 7 When looking at boat facts or researching a new boat purchase, ask about any life jackets that may be available to purchase with your boat.

Child Lifejackets

life jackets 4Children should always be in a life jacket when on a boat, even if they are not in the water.  Children are often more susceptible to falling, tripping, or sliding into the water unexpectedly.  Adult life jackets will not work for children and should not be used in place of a child’s life jacket.  Child lifejacket approvals are based on the child’s weight. Using the appropriate life jacket for infants, toddlers, and children is crucial.  Boat facts prove that a life jacket that is too big will simply slip off of their small frame in the water, while a life jacket too small will not hold their weight.  Child’s life jackets are often inexpensive, so you can purchase additional sizes as they grow to ensure they always have the right size.

Lastly don’t forget your family pet, mostly dogs as you know most cats don’t care too much about the water. As for anyone make sure of a proper fit.life jackets 6

Information about life jackets is just as important as information about boats.  Any fun-filled day of water sports or boating should be accompanied with a reliable and comfortable life jacket.  Today, there are several different types of flotation devices for everyone from baby to grandpa.

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