Information on Lifejackets

Lifejackets became mandatory for children under the age 13 on December 23, 2002 the coast guard implemented the lifejacket law due to the fact that 210 children without lifejackets died under the age  13 between the years 1995 to 2001.  Children on boats that are below deck or in an enclosed cabin do not have to wear there lifejackets.

Lifejackets do and can saves lives when children and adults make sure that they are wearing them properly.   Infants’ lifejackets should be worn with a crotch strap to keep the lifejacket snuggled around their whole body.  If not properly worn or attached correctly the infants lifejacket could slip over the infants head and cause drowning.

Safety should always come first lifejackets should be worn by everybody especially if bad weather occurs. The vessel that you are in could capsize.

Other things to consider for children to wear lifejackets is on the docks at an marina dock boards usually get slippery when wet and we all know how kids like to run and how quick they are when adults take there eyes off them.  Always remember being around water can be dangerous whether you are on a boat or on a dock always try to have your love ones in a lifejacket to prevent drowning

There are many  different kind of lifejackets for different kind of water activities here are some types of lifejackets to choose from:

Type 1 off shore lifejackets:

Best suited for open and rough waters it provides more buoyancy than any other type this will turn most unconscious wearers face up

Type 2 near shore buoyancy:

These are more familiar with pleasure crafts and canoes these are the most common bright orange vest.  They will usually face an unconscious person out of the water  but they are not as dependable as type 1 they are usually for a quick rescue

 Type 3  flotation aid:

Best known for canoes, small sailboats and kayakers these are best for conscious wearers who can keep their own faces out of water these lifejackets are usually jacket style with pockets they fit the wearer closely and have zippers and buckles

 Type 4  throwable devices:

Throwable PFD are designed for areas where boat traffic and rescue is immediately needed  these types are usually ring or squared shape and can be thrown easily

 Type 5  special purpose:

These are intended for specific uses such as boardsailing.  This will keep an unconscious person face up  They also come in variety styles from a full body suit to work vest some with a safety harness and some will protect from hyperthermia.

Facts:

1. 60 percent of boat owners claimed to wear lifejackets, but a Coast Guard study puts that number closer to 21 percent.
2. Coast Guard statistics show that some two–thirds of all fatal boating accidents each year are caused by drowning, and a full 90 percent of those who die are not wearing a life jacket or using another flotation device. In 2006, the latest year for which such figures are available, some 710 persons were killed in boat–related accidents.
3. Coast Guard figures show that more than 50 percent of adults using paddle–boats actually wear life jackets, while among those who do their boating on inboard or stern–driven powerboats, the rate is only 2.8 percent. By contrast, the wear–rate among youths who operate small sailboats, where they're likely to get dunked more often, exceeds 80 percent.
4. boaters tend to wear life jackets more readily when they feel more at risk–when they're not very experienced; are out boating by themselves, with no other crew members; or are going out in high winds, choppy seas, or cold weather.

5. Under federal regulations, boats must carry one life jacket for each person on board. All must bear a label certifying that they are Coast-Guard-approved; must be in good and serviceable condition; and must be the appropriate size for the intended user. They also must be readily accessible, not wrapped in a box or package.