Life Jacket Safety

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by: oscarplatikus
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Word Count: 524
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 Time: 7:04 AM
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Life jacket safety is essential for anyone who is on water, either on a cruise, or fishing, or for any other reason. It is estimated that life jackets could have saved more than 80 percent of lives that were lost in fatal boating incidents. Even though that the boat operator is responsible for precautionary measures, accidents still happen. Especially when there are high speeds involved. In just a matter of a couple of seconds something can go terribly wrong and there is not enough time to gain access to the stowed life jackets.

That's why the United States Coast Guard requires everyone by law to wear their life jackets whenever they're at water. It might seem like this is something that everyone would do, but making people wear these life saving jackets is not always easy. People complain that they can not enjoy and feel the sun. They complain of not enjoying the sensation of splashing and spraying on their bodies. That is why it's so tempting to go without a life jacket on those warm sunny days.

Thus, to overcome that, and to take life jacket safety measures, modern life jackets are made that are available in an extensive range and varieties of shapes and sizes. Many are thin and flexible to avoid discomfort, while many are built into fishing vests. Others are expansive and inflatable so it fills up automatically with air as soon as it touches water.

Certain life jacket safety measures include designing jackets such that help keep the head above water, which helps to breathe adequately whilst in the water. All the countries in the world have their own regulations regarding life jackets worn by children and adults.

Statistics speaks for itself as to how important life jacket safety is.

4,967 boating accidents happened in 2006

3,474 of those boaters required serious medical attention

710 boaters died who went for a fun recreational trip

476 of those 710 boaters died because of drowning

29 children out of those 710 were below the age of 12

That is just half the picture. Capsizing of boats and overboard falls are the most number of reported deadly accidents, which is about 59 % of all boating accidents. Statistics have shown that 9 of 10 drowning victims could have easily survived a shipwreck if they had been wearing a life jacket.

In many scenarios, life jacket safety plays a large role. For illustration, when the vessel is capsized in harsh water or heavy sea conditions, or one gets thrown off the vessel as a consequence of collision. Even if some object in the ocean injures somebody and he cannot swim, the life jacket will support him to remain above the surface until rescuers arrive. Also sometimes, when the boaters fall off the boat while fishing or because of any other calamity and are not able to swim because of heavy or waterlogged clothing, the jacket helps them to float until they are saved. Thankfully, today, the comfort is no longer an issue and people today are starting to realize the importance of safety before comfort.

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