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