Lifejackets - A Quick Safety Guide

[Newsman]

Lifejackets are one of the most important safety items to have on your boat. So how come sometimes they fail? Well it’s not the lifejackets that fail it is the people who have either hidden them so they are inaccessible, not purchased as many as required or purchased the wrong sizes who are at fault. [...] Lifejackets are one of the most important safety items to have on your boat. So how come sometimes they fail? Well it’s not the lifejackets that fail it is the people who have either hidden them so they are inaccessible, not purchased as many as required or purchased the wrong sizes who are at fault. Below is a list of hints and tips that will increase the safety of your boat. * First and foremost, always put your lifejackets in a location that is accessible. There are countless boats such as large cruisers that look all posh and neat but have hidden the lifejackets in a spot that would be completely unreachable in an emergency. Try to keep the lifejackets on deck and make sure everyone knows both where to find them and how to use them. * Another important factor is to make sure each person on board has access to a lifejacket. You should have at least one life jacket for every person on board. It is the captain’s responsibility to ensure this and no vessel should ever depart that does not have this. * It is also important to ensure that the life jackets are also the correct size and standard for the people using them. Adult lifejackets are no use to a child and vice versa. In this respect it is advantageous to have extra lifejackets on board to accommodate for different people you have on board. * When to put on a life jacket is also an important issue. Individuals who are poor swimmers go boating alone, children and elderly and people going out in high seas should always wear a lifejacket when on board a boat. Even veteran boaters should put on a lifejacket at the first sign of distress. It is not good to be struggling trying to put on your jacket whilst the boat is taking on water! Be prepared and get the lifejacket on at the first sign of trouble. * Life jackets should also be checked and replaced regularly. Life jackets like all equipment on board a boat will age and deteriorate in time. Check seams for wear and tear and replace as required. * Also remember to choose the correct life jacket for the situations you may encounter. Some jackets are designed for water skiers and jet skiers whilst others are purely for boating. If you are not certain be sure to ask the sale representative as to which lifejacket is best for you. James More...