About Life Jackets

Life jackets are designed to protect persons in the unexpected event of a water accident. They help to keep your head above water and maintain a position that allows proper breathing. Another name for life jackets is personal flotation device. It is estimated by the United States Coast Guard that over 80% of boating fatality victims could have been saved if they had on a life jacket.

History

• The first life jackets were made out of inflatable animal skins. Later, cork was used to make life jackets. Kapok was later added to cork. In 1852, the United States Congress made it mandatory to carry life jackets for every passenger on steamboats. Foam is the current material used today, which replaced cork and kapok.

Function

• Life jackets work by using bladders that inflate either automatically or manually. A life jacket with an automatic system will inflate upon becoming immersed in water. The manual system inflates when the user pulls a lanyard, which activates a carbon dioxide canister. Both types have an oral backup in which the person blows air into the life jacket through a tube.

Types

• There are three different types of life jackets. Type I is designed to turn most people who are unconscious from face down to an upright and slightly backward position. It is intended for use in open water and oceans when it may take a while for help to arrive. There are two sizes, one for those above 90 pounds and one for those below 90 pounds. Type II can assist a person with getting into an upright position, but not as well as Type I. This jacket comes in many sizes for children. Type III is designed for use in calm, inland water. It is very comfortable and most often used for water sports. It is only designed for use in areas that rescue can occur quickly. Type IV are devices that can be thrown to someone in distress. Type V is reserved for use for special activities.

Considerations

• Life jackets should be tested for wear and tear at least once per year. They should also be checked for buoyancy. Life jackets should not come up above your chin once zipped up and buckled. Life jackets must be stored away from direct sunlight. Boats over 16 feet must have a Type IV throwable device, such as a life ring.

Warning

• When purchasing a life jacket, make sure that there is a label that says that it was tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and approved by the United States Coast Guard. Life jackets are labeled by type and if they are for an adult or child. Do not put a life jacket for an adult on a child. Because accidents are unpredictable, it is best to always wear a life jacket when boating or during recreational water sports.