For those who are not yet familiar with how to wear a life jacket then, you may have opened the right article to learn from these ambiguities. These lifejackets come from different shapes, colors, and styles. But one thing is for sure; you really have to wear one during any sea expeditions. And before jumping on how to wear life jackets, one should know or have the clarity on why you need to wear one.
Why Wear Life Jackets?
Based on the research, many facts wearing a life jacket would help you survive in any fortuitous sea events that may happen. Some of these facts are listed down below:
- 70% of all bloating fatality incidents result from drowning by not wearing life jackets.
- 80% of the drowning victims have experienced those fates due to not wearing life jackets.
- It will only take 20 seconds for a child to drown and 60 seconds for adults, which life jackets could keep them afloat on those seconds.
- According to federal regulations, it is a must for children 13 years old and below to wear a life jacket unless they are below the deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Aside from these facts, it is always a precautionary to know that we cannot predict the weather, especially in the middle of the ocean or any vast water area. It is far better to be prepared in this kind of situation. You may have the best swimming skills, but this does not exempt you from strong current accidents. And always remember that there’s still a more extraordinary life to be experienced at the end of the sea.
Other Thing to Consider:
- There is a specific design for lifejackets to keep your head above water and help the user remain in a position that provides proper breathing.
- Lifejacket wearing regulations for young adults and children may vary by state.
- If properly worn, the foam-filled life jacket will not allow the lifejacket to rise above the user’s chin.
How Life Jacket Works
Life jackets often can float because they are made of buoyant materials. And we can find these materials inside the life jacket can trap air, and because air weighs less than water, it makes the life jacket to remain afloat.
How to Use the Life Jacket
- Make sure that the life jacket you have chosen fits well with your body size. Never do any altercations on your life jacket, for it won’t help you that it’s intended to be. It should also be U.S. Coast Guard-approved.
- Don’t bring or put any heavy materials that would prevent your lifejacket gives you that buoyancy needed in floating. Also, do not fender, for it will be crushed and affect the buoyant materials.
- Never leave your life jacket on board for long periods.
- Air- dry your life jacket and never use the direct heat from the sun.
So, How to Wear a Life Jacket?
- Pull the life jacket over your head, grip the collar.
- Fasten the extra collar, close the vest.
- Fasten the click belt.
- Tighten the belt.
The Verdict
Aside from the apparent buoyancy in making the life jacket user afloat, it will help protect the user against hypothermia. The life jacket will help keep the user’s head above water, so it stays dry, and it will help hold in body heat. It is really highly recommended to wear one whenever there’s a sea adventure to partake.
