News
SIZE DOES MATTER – WHEN CHOOSING A LIFE JACKET
Lake Norman, NC - There’s no doubt
that life jackets save lives. In the United States an average
of nine people a day die as a result of drowning - deaths
that could have been prevented. But a life jacket that does
not fit properly can put a person at risk of drowning. Proper
fit is imperative for safety on the water. The U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary has a few tips to follow when choosing a life
jacket.
- Choose only a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jacket,
and the correct size for the weight of the person. The USCG
stamp of approval, size, whether it is for a child or an
adult, and appropriate weight of the wearer should be listed
inside the jacket. A person’s chest size and stomach
size may come into play when selecting the right life jacket.
- Use the “touchdown” test to see if your life
jacket fits properly; Lift your arms above your head as
if calling a touchdown. The chest portion of the jacket
should not touch your chin when you look left, right or
over your shoulder. If the jacket passes this test, it most
likely fits. If possible try it out in shallow water. The
life jacket should not ride up on your body. However, ride-up
may happen if your stomach is larger than your chest.
- Weigh a child and measure for chest size under the arms
before shopping for a child’s life jacket. A properly
fitting jacket should be snug but not tight.
- Check for proper fit of a life jacket on a child. Wearing
the jacket, the child should stand normally with arms at
his or her sides. Grab the jacket at the shoulders and firmly
lift up. The jacket does not fit if it moves more than three
inches up and down the child’s body during the test.
- Ensure a life jacket for an infant or child has a crotch
strap to help keep the life jacket on, an oversized float
collar to help keep the head out of the water and a grab
loop for easier water rescue. All straps should be intact
and fastened at all times.
So what is the safest life jacket? In terms of risk of drowning,
the safest life jacket is the one you’re willing to
wear! There are many good choices to keep safe on the water.
Some of the choices are a better for certain situations than
others, and therefore the choices are explained in the "Think
Safe" life jacket pamphlet that is sold with every US
Coast Guard approved life jacket. By reading the pamphlet,
you can understand how to safely have fun on the water. For
more information about life jacket types visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/types.htm
or http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/lifejackets.htm.
So what about the cost, aren’t life jackets expensive?
Just keep in mind that no one thinks about the cost when they
are in the water! The value of a life jacket could be priceless.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian
component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an
Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the
Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law
enforcement actions. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral
part of the United States Coast Guard. For more information
visit www.cgaux.org
if you are ready to join visit http://join.cgaux.org/
.
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[Posted: Updated 12 Dec 2009] |
