Life Vest Instructions

A life vest is a piece of safety equipment worn on the upper body when involved in water-related activities, such as water sports. Life vests are worn in case of an emergency. They are intended to keep the person wearing them floating with her head above water level so she can receive oxygen until help arrives to aid her in the emergency. Life vests are also known as PFDs: Personal Flotation Devices. Life vests only work properly when worn properly, so a specific set of instructions must always be followed when wearing one.

Instructions

• 1

  Put the life vest on over your swim suit like a jacket. Some vests will require you to put it on over your head. Secure the vest with whatever buckles, clamps, snaps or zippers your vest has. These will be outlined in the instruction manual of your specific brand vest.

• 2

  Tighten the vest around your waist. The life vest will always have ways to tighten the vest around your body, ensuring that it will not float off in emergency. This is usually done by tightening a waist strap.

• 3

  Conduct the two fingers test. Have a friend pull your vest up from the shoulders towards your ears. If that adult friend can fit two fingers within the space between your shoulder and inside of your vest, it is not tight enough or it may be too large.

• 4

  Conduct a trial of your life vest in near-shore waters before engaging in deep water activities.