Responsible Boating Begins With The Life Jackets
Sunday, October 28, 2012
By Robert Cliford
Life jackets are an important part of boating safety. Your local laws probably require you to have these life saving devices on board your boat. Keep in mind, the best life jacket is one that is worn the entire time you are on the water. Accidents happen unexpectedly, and having a personal flotation device on could save your life.
You can choose from a variety of life jackets. So while you may enjoy feeling the spray of the water and sun on your skin, you should know these safety devices don't have to cover you completely and feel bulky. You might prefer the inflatable life jackets. These only take up as much space as a fanny pack, and when they contact water, they inflate automatically. An inflatable PFD like this is the ideal solution for someone who wants to stay safe yet hates to wear a life vest.
To be effective, life jackets need to fit the wearer properly. That is why children must not wear adult life vests. These devices are designed to keep you upright and positioned properly, so you can breathe even if you are unconscious. The vest has to fit under the arms and chin snugly.
In addition, the inflatable life jackets must always be kept in good repair. If one has broken pieces or has a leak, it will be useless. They should be checked for buoyancy at least every year and discarded if they don't work properly or are faded from sun damage. To ensure your life vests will work as they should, make sure they fit correctly, are in good condition, and have been approved by the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard requires a life vest for every person on board a boat, but it isn't mandatory that boaters wear them at all times. Of course, it is best to always wear the safety device, but if you don't, it must be easily accessible. You must be able to quickly grab a floatation device when your boat catches fire or is in an accident. So always keep them within arm's reach and don't store them in bags or cases you have to fumble with.
No matter what kind of water activity you enjoy, whether it is white water rafting, skiing, or just boating around the lake, it is always a good idea to keep your life vest on. You need to know how each kind of safety device works so you know which one to choose. For instance, the inflatable type vests are the most compact style, but they are best for adults that are good swimmers. Kids and non-swimmers should wear vests made out of foam.
Wearing a life jacket might be the thing that saves you life when an incident occurs. You might be knocked off balance when fishing, faint from an illness, be in a boat collision, or sink with your boat when it takes on water.
When everyone on your boat has a personal flotation device, and wears it properly, you can feel at ease, and know they will be protected if an accident occurs. Being a responsible boater means you take precautions to keep your party and other boaters safe, so everyone can have an exciting day of fun and avoid tragedy.
You can choose from a variety of life jackets. So while you may enjoy feeling the spray of the water and sun on your skin, you should know these safety devices don't have to cover you completely and feel bulky. You might prefer the inflatable life jackets. These only take up as much space as a fanny pack, and when they contact water, they inflate automatically. An inflatable PFD like this is the ideal solution for someone who wants to stay safe yet hates to wear a life vest.
To be effective, life jackets need to fit the wearer properly. That is why children must not wear adult life vests. These devices are designed to keep you upright and positioned properly, so you can breathe even if you are unconscious. The vest has to fit under the arms and chin snugly.
In addition, the inflatable life jackets must always be kept in good repair. If one has broken pieces or has a leak, it will be useless. They should be checked for buoyancy at least every year and discarded if they don't work properly or are faded from sun damage. To ensure your life vests will work as they should, make sure they fit correctly, are in good condition, and have been approved by the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard requires a life vest for every person on board a boat, but it isn't mandatory that boaters wear them at all times. Of course, it is best to always wear the safety device, but if you don't, it must be easily accessible. You must be able to quickly grab a floatation device when your boat catches fire or is in an accident. So always keep them within arm's reach and don't store them in bags or cases you have to fumble with.
No matter what kind of water activity you enjoy, whether it is white water rafting, skiing, or just boating around the lake, it is always a good idea to keep your life vest on. You need to know how each kind of safety device works so you know which one to choose. For instance, the inflatable type vests are the most compact style, but they are best for adults that are good swimmers. Kids and non-swimmers should wear vests made out of foam.
Wearing a life jacket might be the thing that saves you life when an incident occurs. You might be knocked off balance when fishing, faint from an illness, be in a boat collision, or sink with your boat when it takes on water.
When everyone on your boat has a personal flotation device, and wears it properly, you can feel at ease, and know they will be protected if an accident occurs. Being a responsible boater means you take precautions to keep your party and other boaters safe, so everyone can have an exciting day of fun and avoid tragedy.
Posted byBertie at 1:29 AM
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