Responsible Boating Begins With The Life Jackets

Responsible Boating Begins With The Life Jackets

by Robert Cliford

Life jackets are one of the most important aspects of staying safe on the water. In fact, you may be required by law to have these safety 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 when they are least expected and your life could depend on being able to grab a personal flotation device quickly.

You can choose from a variety of life jackets. Some life vests are compact so they don't cover you completely; you are still free to soak up the sun and spray from the water. 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. If you hate to wear a life vest, then you should consider an <a href="http://menacemarine.com.au/p/x2-inflatable-pfd-menace-lifejackets/">inflatable pfd</a> so you can be protected.

To be effective, <a href="http://menacemarine.com.au/c/life-jackets/">inflatable life jackets</a> need to fit the wearer properly. 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. For that to happen, there needs to be a snug fit under the arms and chin.

Your life jackets should always be maintained in good repair too. A life jacket that won't keep you afloat is not much good. At least once every year you should check your life jackets for buoyancy and to make sure they don't have sun damage. Along with a good fit and being in good condition, your life jackets should be Coast Guard approved so you can rest assured they will perform as expected.

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. It is a best practice to always wear a life vest, but if you don't, you must have one readily 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. Understand how each type of life jacket operates so you choose the best one. For example, inflatable vests may be the most compact, but they are only to be used by adults that can swim. Adults who don't swim well and children should wear vests that are made of foam.

Wearing a life jacket might be the thing that saves you life when an incident occurs. You could faint from being in the sun and fall overboard or lose your balance when fishing; you could wreck the boat or sink it.

When you have a personal flotation device for everyone on your boat and make sure they wear it, you can be at ease in knowing you are prepared for the unexpected. Part of being a responsible boater means you take steps to ensure the safety of everyone in your group so the day is filled with fun and good memories rather than tragedy.



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