Life jackets are essential for anyone traveling over water, including babies, children, adults, and even dogs. There are three types of life jackets, with Type I being best for rough water and Type III being the most comfortable. Inflatable life jackets are also an option but can explode if they hit a sharp object. It is crucial to find a life jacket that fits correctly, especially for children. On airplanes, life jackets are typically found under the seat, and there are even life jackets available for infants and dogs.
A life jacket is an individual device designed to keep a person or animal afloat in water. On any boat or plane that travels over water, there should be a life jacket for every baby, child, and adult. There are even life jackets available for dogs.
In most cases, the life jacket fits over the person’s head. Each life jacket is classified as Type I, Type II, or Type III. There are also “throwable” flotation devices, such as rings, floating cushions, or horseshoe buoys, which fall under Type IV and are used to save someone who has already fallen overboard without a BCD.
A Type I or offshore life jacket is best for rough, open water. This type of vest is most often used when the waters are remote and when a rescue is delayed or slow. The benefits of a Type I BC are that it has the best buoyancy and will keep an unconscious wearer face up in the water. The downside is that it is bulky to use and store.
The inshore life jacket or type II jacket is best for calm water. Typically used on lakes or other inland waterways and in areas where rescue will be quick. It is more comfortable and easier to store than a Type I vest. Although some vests can turn an unconscious wearer onto their back, not all Type II vests will.
Although it still looks like a life jacket, the Type III vest is called a buoyancy aid. It is perfect for a conscientious user, in calm water and in areas where rescue will be quick. It is not likely to hold a person on their back; However, it is the most comfortable of the three types.
An inflatable life jacket is another option for many boaters. This type works by self-inflating when the user hits the water. Some brands of Type III BCDs are designed to keep the wearer face up, making those brands a good choice for those who are boating in calm water. The main deterrent for the inflatable life jacket is that it can explode if it hits a fast or sharp object.
The most important consideration when wearing a life jacket is that it must fit correctly. If it is too big, the user can easily slip off. If it is too small, it will not buckle around the user properly and will not keep the person afloat. Most vests have weight guidelines. It is essential to find one that matches the weight of the user, especially for children.
On airplanes, most life jackets are found under the seat; however, in some cases, the seat cushion is the flotation device. On flights where the plane is traveling over a large body of water, such as an ocean, flight attendants will give each set of parents a baby vest. Life jackets are specifically designed for infants and should keep them afloat in the event of a landing in the water.
For boaters with canine companions, there are even life jackets for dogs. Like their human counterparts, the vests are available in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. These can be especially helpful for smaller dogs or dogs that can’t swim.
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