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Life Preserver Types

Life preservers are essential items for those involved in water activities. They keep children and adults safe, and allow everyone to participate in water-based activities without the risk of drowning. Some life preservers can be worn as jackets, while others are meant to be held by the person in the water. Each water activity has a specific type of preserver designed to prevent drowning.

  1. Off-Shore Life Jacket

    • An off-shore life jacket is worn on the upper body. It is fastened and adjusted, and comes in adult and children's sizes. This jacket is designed to be worn when people are far away from land; sailing is an ideal environment for this life jacket. It is designed to keep a person face up in the water, even if he is unconscious.

    Near-Shore Buoyant Vest

    • A near-shore buoyant vest is worn on the upper body. This vest is lighter than an off-shore jacket, and is meant for activities closer to shore. Canoeing along a stream might call for a near-shore buoyant vest. It comes in sizes for adults and children.

    Floatation Aid

    • A floatation aid is a vest that is worn on the upper body. It is the lightest vest, and allows wearers to move more freely than the off-shore life jacket or near-shore buoyant vest. It is designed to be worn in calm water, such as pools or small lakes. The floatation aid is an ideal choice for pool play and water sports. The wearer must tilt his head back to stay face up in the water. It is not an ideal in keeping an unconscious person face up, or in places where a person cannot be rescued quickly.

    Throwable Devices

    • A throwable device is meant to serve as a back-up to the life vests. These devices are designed to help rescue a person who has drifted too far away from the boat or shore. They come in different forms, with the most common being life preserver rings and cushions.

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