Standard-offers the best protection and are the made the sturdiest. They are good because they are made to roll you onto your back and keep your face out of the water, even if you are unconscious. Standard life jackets are particularly good to wear on rough waters but just fine for any type of water conditions.
Standard life jackets are sold in bright red, orange and yellow colours so you can be easily seen and faster in the water. These life jackets are found to have more sizes available than the Small Boat/Vessel Life Jacket.
Small Boat/Vessel- mostly worn on smaller bodies of water (ponds, lakes, rivers but they are not as safe as the standard life jackets. They do not float as well as the Standard life jacket, are not available in very many sizes and they roll a person slower from front to back in the water. This can cause water intake.
PDF's (otherwise known as Personal Floatation Devices):
Boaters use PDF's mostly for crafts such as speed boats, wet biking, water skiing, canoeing, sailing..Etc. They are sold in many colours but the best colours to buy are red, orange or yellow. These colours are better because you are found faster in the water by rescuers.
People who cannot swim very well and children should not wear PDF's. They do not float very well and they turn a person over in the water slower than the Standard Life Jackets.
Choose the correct PDF according to what you are doing. If you are going to be going at high speeds then a PDF which has three or more chest belts is needed. If you are going to have your craft on cold water then your PDF should be the thermal type.
Children and Life Jackets/PDF's:
A child's life jacket/PDF needs to have a large collar to support the head in case there is an emergency. Ties should be tied at the front around the middle and ensure that the life jacket as straps between the legs. This prevents a child from slipping through the head of the life jacket. Children must never wear an adult life jacket. It is a good idea to let a child wear a life jacket in the water so you can make sure it fits properly and so they can get accustomed to it. Then they are not as frightened, if they fall out of a boat. They will learn that life jackets will to keep them safe.
Life Jacket Tips:
Life jackets must fit snuggly and according to a person's weight. All of the straps are adjustable.
Each year, you need to inspect the life jackets for rips/tears and worn out areas.
Give all the straps a tug to make sure they are all still sturdy. Also never use a life jacket to kneel on in a boat. It can change the fit, comfort and how well it floats.
By: Kathryn Ali
Copyright http://boating.actual-facts.com 2007
Life Jackets: Life jackets come in two main styles: standard and small vessel. Standard life jackets are the most recommended since they offer the best protection and durability. They come in the following colors to enable you to be seen in the water: red, orange and yellow.
Standard Life Jackets: A good-quality standard life jacket has several main objectives. They are designed to:
-Turn you on your back, keeping your face out of the water, even if you are knocked unconscious. -Good for all water conditions. -Sized appropriately for both children and adults.
Small Vessel Life Jackets: Since small vessel jackets are generally worn on smaller-sized ponds, lakes and river they do not offer the same protection as standard life jackets, which are worn when on rough seas. These devices offer:
-Less flotation. -Slower turn around from to back when in the water (which could cause water ingestion). -Only 3 sizes, which may not fit every body size/type properly.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's): Personal Flotation Devices, commonly known as PFD's, are most used for pleasure crafting such as canoeing, kayaking and sail boarding, among others. Although they come in a variety of stylish colors, most water experts agree that the best choice is red, orange or yellow, since they allow rescue workers t located you faster when in the water.
Most people prefer the use of PFD's over standard life jackets because they are more comfortable. But, keep in mind when choosing between the two, that PFD comfort may give way to safety. They offer far less flotation and turning capability if thrown in the water, and shouldn't usually be worn by children or poor swimmers.
Choosing a Personal Flotation Device style depends a great deal on our needs, and the type of activity you will be engaged in. When traveling at high speeds, a PFD featuring three or more chest belts are recommended. Cold-water users should consider purchasing a PFD with thermal protection and those who wear a PFD for a specific ongoing recreational purpose (ie: canoeing, sailing, etc). Use one specifically designed for that sport.
Properly Fitting Children: For the best protection, children should always wear a life jacket or PFD that has been specifically sized for them. It is NEVER acceptable for a child to be strapped into an adult sized flotation device of any kind. Even when wearing the correct size and style for their age, children's safety devices should also feature:
-Large collars for proper head support in case of an accident. -Waist ties in front. -Safety straps between the legs to keep the device form slipping over their heads and off. -Reflective buckles and straps to make locating them in the water easier and faster.
In addition every life jacket and PFD should be kept in its best condition by:
-Never kneeling or sitting on it. -Checking regularly for buoyancy. -Making sure all straps, zippers and buckles remain in tip-top shape. -Checking to be sure all straps remain attached securely and properly. -Dried in open air to avoid heat damage.
Keeping your emergency flotation device in good condition is essential to ensuring that it will work properly in case of an emergency.
Both Kathryn Ali & Matthew Hick are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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