This post will teach different aspects of the life that we must take into account when we practice boating, kayak, canoing, rafting... in groups or alone.
- Types of life jacket: when we practise rafting we always will dress the life jacket, although the difficulty of the route look easy always possible unforeseen conditions or accidents.
- Inflatable: This vest is low economic cost but the most insecure of all, because it can be punctured by sharp or blunt objects, as can be the coup against a rock when we float in the water. Avoid using this type of vest. Preferably use it in easy routes.
- Solid life: This jacket is the safest of all because it has greater buoyancy than the others. It can withstand blows from sharp objects and still float. His restraint is unbeatable. Recommended for rivers all difficulties and inexperienced athletes. Disadvantage: Athlete mobility is reduced, so you can not swim very well.
- Buoyancy aid: This type of jacket is used by experienced boaters who are also good swimmers. The survivability of this vest is medium, and used to rescue people. When someone falls overboard and can not upload, the most experienced person takes the plunge to the rescue, and this vest makes swim very well to the person who wears.
Image 1: Kinds of life jacket by IRF
- Fixing: to dress properly life jacket we must follow the following steps:
- 1 Undo all straps, zips and buckles.
- 2 Put on the PFD, and fasten the zips and buckles.
- 3 Tighten straps, working upwards from the waist
See this video anyway to look how to wear it:
- Fatalities : Let’s take a look at the common situations for boating fatalities for a moment. Our accident data show that:
- By far the great majority of recreational boating – and a corresponding percentage of boating fatalities – occur on lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, reservoirs, etc., places VERY close to shore and safety – you would think.
- Boating fatalities most frequently involve men, and the median age for victims is between 18 and 34, the prime age you would think would be able to save themselves and others in an emergency.
- Most involve small boats: jonboats, bass boats, small pleasure craft, canoes, and kayaks. They most often occur during the daytime in sunny weather in seas less than six inches.
- Some 70% of all boating deaths were the result of drowning. Among sportsmen – that is, hunters and fishermen -- nearly 90% of their deaths were the result of drowning.
- Some 80% of all boating accident victims were not wearing PFDs when they were found. Among sportsmen, it’s worse: over 90% of sportsmen who drowned were not wearing PFDs.
- Most telling of all, though, is that – again by far – most of these deaths occurred due to sudden, UNEXPECTED entry into the water due to capsizing, swamping, or falls overboard. These deaths generally aren’t the result of collisions, which is how many people picture boating accidents. Many times the boats aren’t even moving!
Image 2: Boating Fatalities in Canada by Canadian Red Cross
The most important: always wear the life jacket when you are in your kayak or boat and don't try to wear it when there is an accident because:
- There is absolutely no time to grab your life jacket before you go overboard. These are not The Perfect Storm scenarios where the weather goes from bad to worse, and the boat starts taking on water, and you have time to get a Mayday out and have everyone put on their life jackets. These are very quiet deaths. One minute you’re reeling in your catch on your bass boat . The next minute you’re in the water. And you either float to the top – or you don`t.
- And if you do somehow make it back to the surface and somehow find your life jacket in the water – now try putting it on! You’re coping with the shock of the events, maybe cold, maybe worried about others in the water, and you’re…
- Fighting with this life jacket that wants to stay on TOP of the water while you’re struggling just to keep your HEAD above water! That’s the thing we keep missing. Once you’re IN the water, it’s already too late!
Remember: Wear a life jacket, will save your life!
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