Fishing Frenzy

The United States Coast Guard has the responsibility of approving any pfd, short for personal flotation device, used within the country. Authorized search and rescue agencies typically test the performance of new safety equipment. The equipment comes in different sizes and shapes. Sports sections carry them for one specific reason. When it is worn, it becomes a protective barrier between a person and the surface of the water. In the event a person is washed overboard, the vest makes the victim more visible to rescue workers.

The image of brilliant orange combined with bulky pieces wrapped around the chest and back comes to mind when people think of water safety. The typical lifejacket drill that takes place on cruise ships features that type of device. Straps cinch the jacket tight, but it must still be the proper size. The lifejackets are stored at different stations across the ship. If your station is missing a vest for your child, ask the team leader to place one in the locker. Even if you have been on a cruise a dozen times, the equipment changes from ship to ship. In an emergency, the bright orange makes the wearer highly visible, whether still on board or in the water.

Swimming pool floatation devices are trendy because of the calm water, but they still have size and weight limits that should be followed. They are made of plastic or fabric and filled with buoyant materials to keep the wearer's upper body above the water line. Children learn proper swimming posture for the crawl without interference from buoyant apparel. Adjustable Velcro straps help the parent fit the item to their child. The devices do not substitute for your watchful eye. Keep tabs on your child by adding floats decorated with highly visible large red flowers and orange blossoms.

One of the things that sailors appreciate when wearing an approved inflatable pfd is the extra protection in case a wave washes them overboard. Even wearing these light inflatable devices over a heavy slicker results in little confinement. The ability to do a job even while wearing protective gear makes it more likely to be worn. Whether someone decides to take a swim in the lake or ocean, or circumstances place them there, the conditions differ greatly from swimming in a pool. Even if a person is an excellent swimmer, making headway in an angry sea is a challenge that taxes the strongest individuals.

The wearer can blow air into the PFD if auto-inflation fails. There is approximately twelve additional pounds of buoyancy than that of an adult non-inflatable lifejacket, making it easy to see its value. It is designed to turn unconscious wearers onto their back and hold conscious wearers higher in the water, making it easier to breathe.

Like any piece of equipment, it has to be maintained. Not only is it a protective device, it is the one item that helps you save your life in case of an emergency. Staying afloat while taking a short break from swimming preserves energy. A light is one feature that signals your location, even if you are unconscious. To be effective, it must fit properly and be in good condition. It could save your life