Whether you wear one on a cruise ship for a muster drill or on a float trip in a canoe, most of us think we know how to properly wear a life jacket. The sad truth is that most of us don’t. Manufacturers make life jackets, also known as a PFD (personal floatation device), according to a person’s size and weight. Fitting a life jacket properly will help to keep your head above water, saving your life. But when a life jacket is too large it will ride up around your face and when it’s too small it won’t have enough flotation to keep you afloat. Taking the following steps to ensure your life jacket fits properly offers you and your family the best chance of survival if the worst happens on your next float trip.
Types of Life Jackets
A variety of life jackets are available in today’s marketplace with some designed for angling, water sports and others that are multipurpose. There are belt packs, inflatables and hybrid (a combination of traditional flotation and inflatable technology). Inflatable life jackets are a popular choice among families taking float trips is because they are lightweight, cool and comfortable. In fact, many who wear them forget they have one on. But if you’re ejected from a canoe, raft or boat, the life jacket will inflate as soon as it hits the water, making inflatable life jackets ideal for most boating activities. Others prefer vest life jackets or water sports life jackets because plenty of belts and clasps keeps this lighter weight jacket secure when hitting the water. When it comes to choosing life jackets for children and infants, look for one that supports a child’s head while floating in the water as well as one that includes straps for pulling them from the water. And don’t forget your pets either. Many families bring pets along on their float trips. Pet life jackets are secured around them using straps and come in many sizes, styles and colors.
Shopping for and Testing a Life Jacket
When shopping for life jackets, check the label for your size and weight. While the manufacturer’s label typically shows whether the life jacket was made for an adult or a child, you’ll also want to choose one that supports your size and weight. Once you find the right size, try it on, fastening all the straps. Many life jackets for children have straps that go underneath the person for additional stability. Be sure to tighten the straps firmly leaving none of them loose.
At this point you’re ready to test the life jacket. It’s helpful to have someone shop with you who can help with testing a life jacket. While you hold your arms straight over your head have the person with you pull on the tops of the arm openings. If the life jacket rides over your chin or face, you’ll know it’s too big and you should try the next smaller size. Try on the next smaller size and sit down with the life jacket on. If it rides up again it’s still too big. This is the same test that you should use with your children. When a life jacket is too big your child could slip out of the life jacket. This is why it’s important to find a life jacket that is the right size for your weight while fitting snugly.
Before your family’s next float trip be sure to purchase and properly fit your life jackets. The life you save might just be your own.
