Life Jackets Keep Boaters Safe
Sunday, December 9, 2012
By Robert Cliford
Life jackets are one of the most important aspects of staying safe on the water. Chances are, local laws require you to have the right number of these safety devices on board your vessel. Keep in mind, the best life jacket is one that is worn the entire time you are on the water. You never know when an accident will happen and you might not have time to grab a personal flotation device when your life depends upon it.
There are several types of life jackets to choose from. 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. In fact, you could opt for inflatable life jackets.
These only take up as much space as a fanny pack, and when they contact water, they inflate automatically. If you hate to wear a life vest, then you should consider an inflatable pfd so you can be protected.
In order for life jackets to be effective, they have to fit properly too. Because proper fit is essential, children should never wear large jackets made for adults. A life jacket that fits correctly will hold you upright in the water and support the back of your head so you can breathe even while unconscious. To do that, the vest needs to fit snugly under the chin and arms.
In addition, the 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.
Laws may require you to make sure every person on board your vessel has a life vest, but it doesn't force anyone to actually wear one. The best option is to always wear the safety device, but when you don't, you must always have it readily accessible. If a fire breaks out on your boat, or if it starts to sink, you have to be able to quickly get and put on your life vest in order to save your life. That means the vests should be within arm's reach and not enclosed in bags or cases.
It is a good idea to wear a life jacket when you are on the water whether you are out boating, water skiing, or white water rafting. You should also learn about the different kinds of life jackets so you choose the right one. For example, inflatable vests are very popular since they are so small, but they are intended for adults who know how to swim. Vests constructed of foam are best for kids and non-swimming adults.
Wearing a life jacket might be the thing that saves you life when an incident occurs. You could lose your balance when standing in the boat, or get dizzy and fall overboard; you might run into a stump or catch your boat on fire.
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 every precaution possible to ensure the safety of your group and other boaters, so everyone can enjoy a great day of fun on the water.
There are several types of life jackets to choose from. 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. In fact, you could opt for inflatable life jackets.
These only take up as much space as a fanny pack, and when they contact water, they inflate automatically. If you hate to wear a life vest, then you should consider an inflatable pfd so you can be protected.
In order for life jackets to be effective, they have to fit properly too. Because proper fit is essential, children should never wear large jackets made for adults. A life jacket that fits correctly will hold you upright in the water and support the back of your head so you can breathe even while unconscious. To do that, the vest needs to fit snugly under the chin and arms.
In addition, the 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.
Laws may require you to make sure every person on board your vessel has a life vest, but it doesn't force anyone to actually wear one. The best option is to always wear the safety device, but when you don't, you must always have it readily accessible. If a fire breaks out on your boat, or if it starts to sink, you have to be able to quickly get and put on your life vest in order to save your life. That means the vests should be within arm's reach and not enclosed in bags or cases.
It is a good idea to wear a life jacket when you are on the water whether you are out boating, water skiing, or white water rafting. You should also learn about the different kinds of life jackets so you choose the right one. For example, inflatable vests are very popular since they are so small, but they are intended for adults who know how to swim. Vests constructed of foam are best for kids and non-swimming adults.
Wearing a life jacket might be the thing that saves you life when an incident occurs. You could lose your balance when standing in the boat, or get dizzy and fall overboard; you might run into a stump or catch your boat on fire.
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 every precaution possible to ensure the safety of your group and other boaters, so everyone can enjoy a great day of fun on the water.
Posted byBertie at 8:19 AM
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