Organizations called upon to protect human life always recommend using a life jacket when traveling on water. Many people accept the presence of such an item in their boat as a necessary safety measure, they purchase it and always have it at hand, but rarely pay attention to the quality of the vest, not to mention wearing it.
Kinds
The main classification is made according to who will wear the life jacket: they are primarily divided into men's, women's and children's. Further, according to the principle of action: whether it will be auxiliary, only supporting it on the water, helping to cope with the elements to a person already able to swim, or saving, that is, to completely keep afloat. The peculiarity of the first is that it will not save, if you have lost consciousness, it requires certain movements, but the life jacket is designed so that the person’s head will always be above the surface of the water, and certainly face up. As you can see, the latter design is more reliable and will not allow to choke. Typically, the type is indicated on the vest in the form of an inscription about whether it can support a person unconscious, and for what weight it is designed. In addition, some types provide thermal insulation and other properties.
Where to buy a life jacket and how to choose?
Such funds are sold in all stores selling goods for hunting and fishing, as well as in sports stores. The main characteristics that you should pay attention to when acquiring a life jacket are safety, comfort and buoyancy. You should not buy various “advanced” options, such as a life-saving tool combined with a backpack: you run the risk of drowning. The first thing to do is try on a vest, it should sit comfortably on you, without restricting movements. Usually it has additional accessories in the form of belts and fastenings that will help fit it to your physique. Another important characteristic is the color, it is best if it is noticeable and striking, so your chances of escape will increase. An orange life vest (“Fisherman” -1.2) is perfect, because if you get into trouble far from the coast, people will definitely notice and pull you out. It is important to remember that the design does not allow the presence of unnecessary parts that can impede movement in the water, such as cords, loose loops and belts.
Inflatable or foam?
The more familiar and running inflatable lifejackets have proven their worth, since they take up little space in a deflated state, and if necessary, they can be inflated to a state in which it will be convenient for you in it. But there is a huge risk, because if you pierce it, then it will immediately turn from a life-saving tool into a useless thing. This is especially dangerous if a person is unconscious, any stick or hook can deprive him of a chance to survive. Therefore, if you are a fisherman dealing with sharp objects in the form of hooks, then such a choice is not for you. Vests made of lightweight foam materials are more reliable in this regard, they not only have high buoyancy, but are not afraid of punctures or scratches.