| It does not matter who you are or what age you | | | | should not wear PDF's. They do not float very well |
| are, everyone must have their own life jacket when | | | | and they turn a person over in the water slower |
| in a boat. It is the main safety device requirement. | | | | than the Standard Life Jackets. |
| Main Two Styles of Life Jackets: | | | | Choose the correct PDF according to what you are |
| Standard-offers the best protection and are the | | | | doing. If you are going to be going at high speeds |
| made the sturdiest. They are good because they are | | | | then a PDF which has three or more chest belts is |
| made to roll you onto your back and keep your face | | | | needed. If you are going to have your craft on cold |
| out of the water, even if you are unconscious. | | | | water then your PDF should be the thermal type. |
| Standard life jackets are particularly good to wear on | | | | Children and Life Jackets/PDF's: |
| rough waters but just fine for any type of water | | | | A child's life jacket/PDF needs to have a large collar |
| conditions. | | | | to support the head in case there is an emergency. |
| Standard life jackets are sold in bright red, orange | | | | Ties should be tied at the front around the middle |
| and yellow colours so you can be easily seen and | | | | and ensure that the life jacket as straps between |
| faster in the water. These life jackets are found to | | | | the legs. This prevents a child from slipping through |
| have more sizes available than the Small Boat/Vessel | | | | the head of the life jacket. Children must never wear |
| Life Jacket. | | | | an adult life jacket. It is a good idea to let a child |
| Small Boat/Vessel- mostly worn on smaller bodies of | | | | wear a life jacket in the water so you can make |
| water (ponds, lakes, rivers but they are not as safe | | | | sure it fits properly and so they can get accustomed |
| as the standard life jackets. They do not float as well | | | | to it. Then they are not as frightened, if they fall out |
| as the Standard life jacket, are not available in very | | | | of a boat. They will learn that life jackets will to keep |
| many sizes and they roll a person slower from front | | | | them safe. |
| to back in the water. This can cause water intake. | | | | Life Jacket Tips: |
| PDF's (otherwise known as Personal Floatation | | | | Life jackets must fit snuggly and according to a |
| Devices): | | | | person's weight. All of the straps are adjustable. |
| Boaters use PDF's mostly for crafts such as speed | | | | Each year, you need to inspect the life jackets for |
| boats, wet biking, water skiing, canoeing, sailing..Etc. | | | | rips/tears and worn out areas. |
| They are sold in many colours but the best colours | | | | Give all the straps a tug to make sure they are all still |
| to buy are red, orange or yellow. These colours are | | | | sturdy. Also never use a life jacket to kneel on in a |
| better because you are found faster in the water by | | | | boat. It can change the fit, comfort and how well it |
| rescuers. | | | | floats. |
| People who cannot swim very well and children | | | | |