Life jackets: varieties, tips for choosing and operating

People get the greatest pleasure from recreation on the water. But this element is sometimes insidious, and if you do not protect your life, then such a vacation can end tragically. Therefore, before you go to a pond, lake or river, it is important to remember the safety measures and always have a life jacket on hand.

A life jacket is considered a mandatory protective item that is used to support the human body in the water. This product comes in various modifications and is regulated by GOST 22336-77. All types of vests are equipped with chambers filled with air or special gas. Each model of the vest has its own characteristics, in addition, this accessory may differ in color, configuration, buoyancy, moisture resistance, durability and a wide temperature range of use.

A vest is required while on the water., because it eliminates the possibility of drowning, and also protects against choking when falling from a vessel, boat, boat. The advantage of this product is that it is lightweight and does not interfere with free movement.

According to the regulations of the GIMS, life jackets must be mandatory on boats, boats, ships and be available in emergency situations. In addition, the design must be made in such a way that a drowning person can freely float on the water with his face above its surface.

Recently, life jackets have been presented on the market in a huge range, each type is designed for certain conditions. Therefore, the opinion that all vests have the same characteristics is erroneous. These protections are divided into four types:

• for rescue work and additional insurance;
• for rafting;
• for kayaking;
• for active water tourism.

The first type of vests is characterized by the presence of convenient devices that are important for the work of rescuers. This is, as a rule, a break sling, a towing carabiner and a sling cutter. Vests produced for water tourism have special reflective stripes and bright colors. This is necessary to quickly notice a person overboard. This vest is inflatable and has pockets that allow you to store many useful things.

Models for kayaking are not much different from tourist vests, the only thing is that they are slightly larger and have narrow shoulder straps.

Life jackets for rafting slightly longer than the previous options and provided with additional fasteners, thanks to which you can precisely fit the product to the figure of a person and fix it as firmly as possible on the body of an athlete.Since rafting is carried out in dangerous sections of the river, which is fraught with injury, vests are additionally equipped with a floating collar. A sports vest keeps the head above the water in case of injury and loss of consciousness, it can also be used for riding a jet ski.

The neoprene vest is self-inflating, it does not constrain movements, which makes it comfortable to wear. Fishing vests deserve special attention. They are double-sided, equipped with headrests and pockets. A fishing vest must be present for every fisherman on a boat, this is regulated by the standards of the rescue services. In addition, they need to be bought not only for fishing boats, but also for pleasure boats that go even on a short trip on the water.

The two-chamber is also very popular. lightweight aviation vest which is intended exclusively for use on aircraft, ensuring the safety of crew members and passengers during an emergency landing of an aircraft on water. This accessory is distinguished by the presence of two chambers, it is self-inflating, gas filling is carried out from a special cartridge. The product weighs no more than 0.6 kg.

In specialized stores, you can find both life jackets and safety vests on sale. Despite the fact that these two protective equipment are designed to save human life on the water, there is a difference between them.

The belay type differs from the rescue type in that it is more suitable for people who can swim well. They have less buoyancy, as the structure inside is stuffed with sheets of light and flexible foam. This material is comfortable and highly elastic, but can absorb water over time.

The thickness of the foam sheets in such models is up to 8 mm, in addition, there are recesses on the canvas for air accumulation. Compared to safety vests, life jackets are made from a dense and elastic material, so they are able to withstand low pressure, thereby increasing buoyancy. Experts recommend that those people who go fishing for a long time, purchase life jackets with a permanent buoyancy of at least 10 kg.

Life jackets are presented on the market in a huge variety and differ not only in size, purpose, design, but also in manufacturers. Companies whose products have received a lot of positive feedback include the following.

It produces several models of life jackets that can be used both for water sports and for kayaking. Deserves special attention model "Cascade", whose main advantage is light weight. Additionally, the protective product is completed with crotch straps (they can simply be knotted through reinforced loops or fixed through power buckles), foam-reinforced shoulder pads and reflective elements. The vest completely repeats the shape of the human body, so it is convenient to use.

This manufacturer produces life jackets "PR" with a collar. They are made as an individual means of protecting a person during water sports, when falling overboard or riding on motor and sailing ships. Thanks to the reflective stripes, a quick search for a drowning person is ensured. The product allows you to stay afloat for a long time, because it is filled with a special NPE material.

Besides, The advantages of this accessory include the presence of a stand-up collar, a whistle to call rescuers, a patch pocket and side ties that adjust the vest to the figure of a person.

Products from this manufacturer are characterized by a simple design and affordable price. But most models designed for fishermen are too overloaded with voluminous pockets, which are actually absolutely not needed. Outwardly, the vest looks ordinary, it is mesh, so in the summer heat it is comfortable to wear. The main advantage of the products is light weight and ease of use.

Life jackets from this manufacturer are characterized by high quality and affordable price. The manufacturer equips them with many capacious and convenient pockets, which can be either open mesh or moisture-resistant closed. As for the vests themselves, they are made of breathable and quick-drying fabric. The only thing is that such models cannot keep a person on the water for a long time.

Life jackets from this foreign manufacturer have international certificates CE ISO 12401 and CE ISO 12402-3. Complete safety on the water is guaranteed double welded seams for air bubbles. Products can be combined with all types of cylinders.

In addition, all models have adjustable straps and ensure long-term maintenance of a person on the water in the correct position (face up).

The model of the vest deserves special attention Life Sigma, which is a budget option, available in both manual and automatic versions. The products are attractive in design, comfortable to use and easy to wear.

Each vest, according to the code, can have one chamber, manually inflated through a special head (code 20220) or with a tube (code 20260). The inflatable bubble is made of durable fabric that is highly visible, it folds quickly and is fixed with Velcro.

This manufacturer has proven itself in the production of not only life jackets, but also fishing equipment. Protective products have all the necessary functions, they are light in weight and equipped with many small pockets. At first glance, the vest may seem small, but in fact, it has pockets everywhere, from the chest area to the waist. In addition, there are also internal pockets. The only drawback of the products is the high cost.

A manufacturer that is not only well known to fishermen, but also very popular with water sports enthusiasts. Products of this brand meet all safety and quality requirements, in addition, they are as functional as possible.

There are many waterproof pockets on the vests, which are located in such a way as not to interfere with the movement of a person and not to pile up a lot of weight.

A huge plus of such vests is that they are able to hold a person weighing up to 120 kg on the surface of the water. In addition, the products look stylish and attractive. The only drawback of the life jackets of this brand is the high cost, but it is justified by the excellent quality, which cannot be saved in emergency situations.

Before you buy a life jacket, you need to take into account many nuances, since the safety of being on the water will depend on this. Going for such an important purchase, you need to pay special attention to the following.

• All elements on the vest must be firmly sewn. No protruding threads and sloppy stitching are allowed.
• It is important to check all clips, carabiners, buckles, zippers and fasteners. To do this, they must be fastened and unfastened. If problems arise, then it is best to refuse to buy, because being in extreme conditions, these fastening systems can fail.
• The presence of a chest harness is considered mandatory in the design. As a rule, all well-known manufacturers equip vests with such a function. It is designed in such a way that it can be quickly released and attached to the rope.In addition, there should be a wide sling on the back, with which you can quickly pull the rower out of the water. It must also be well sewn.
• An important component of a life jacket are pockets. It is best to choose those models in which they are located both inside and outside. Pockets shouldn't get in the way. Vests equipped with several roomy pockets are considered an excellent choice. They can accommodate matches with a flashlight and sealed packaging with important documents.
• In order to “fit” the vest on the body correctly, it must have adjustment straps. If they are not there, then it will not be possible to securely fix this accessory on yourself. In addition, vests must be selected in size, as they are large and small. A special size table helps to facilitate the choice, which each manufacturer has its own.
• To be sure that the rescue vehicle will not fail in an emergency, experts recommend giving preference to models from well-known manufacturers that have received positive reviews. Sometimes unscrupulous manufacturers indicate high buoyancy on vests without testing the product in action. Therefore, before you go on vacation, you should independently check the product in the pool.
• If you plan to buy a life jacket purely for fishing, then you should pay attention to the fact that this type of product is produced in two types: with passive and active safety. The first option should be chosen by those fishermen who swim far on a boat or boat, since such vests are designed for long interruptions on the water.They provide comfortable breathing and good support on the water, but due to their huge dimensions they hinder movement. If the fisherman swims close to the shore, then the ideal option for him would be a safety vest with active safety. It is ergonomic and allows you not only to comfortably control the oars, but also quickly swim to the shore.

It is important to consider the following recommendations for its operation.

• You need to buy a vest strictly according to the size and figure of a person. It cannot be altered or re-equipped, otherwise the product will lose all its properties. Before putting on this accessory, you should check it for punctures, divergence of seams and tears. In addition, if the vest has been used before, you need to make sure that the filler has not taken on water and is not moldy.
• Then you need to write your personal data on the vest, it will not hurt to indicate the blood type with the Rh factor. The accessory should be worn before getting into the canoe, boat or kayak. When putting on the vest, you must first fasten the front buckles and zipper, then tighten the side straps well. Do not fill the pockets of the product with heavy objects, this will reduce its buoyancy. It is strictly forbidden to put sharp objects in pockets.
• After the accessory is put on, you need to make sure that it does not rub the chin, armpits, neck and does not slip. If you do not check the reliability of fixation, then in the water under the influence of the current it can break.

Most importantly, there is no need to panic. It is important to make every effort to return the body to a vertical position.If a group of people, including children, is overboard, then you need to stay close. Adults should also check that children's life jackets are securely fastened. After using the vest in salt water (ocean, sea), it should be thoroughly washed with soapy water (it cannot be washed in a washing machine), rinsed and dried in a room without heat sources. Do not use detergents with an aggressive composition to clean the product, they can damage the structure of the material.

Experts recommend regularly check the condition of the filler in the vest. The foam should quickly return to its original position after compression. If this is not observed, then this may mean that the material has lost its properties, including buoyancy. Such a product can not be used in the future on the water.

With frequent use of the rescue equipment, its shape may also be lost, as a result, the vest does not fit the body tightly even with maximum adjustment. In this case buy a new product.

In the next video you will find a detailed review of Spass life jackets for fishermen and hunters.