Life Vests save lives. The U.S. Coast Guard categorizes life vests into three types: * Type III vests, designed for boating in calm water where quick rescue is available.
* Type II vests, designed for use where quick rescue is probable but are not suitable for extended use in extremely cold or rough water.
* Type I vests, designed to support an unconscious person face up in rough and choppy waters where rescue may not come quickly.
Type I life vests have greater flotation value than the other two. They generally come in two sizes--one for most adults and one for most children.
Instructions
1. Open the front of the life vest and put it on just as you would a vest. Make sure the flotation collar hangs down the back of the vest.
2. Fasten the plastic buckle in the front of the vest. Some vests may have a zipper instead of, or in addition to, a plastic buckle.
3. Adjust the webbing strap attached to the plastic buckle until the vest fits snugly.
4. Check for proper fit. The Coast Guard advises that you raise your arms above your head as if signaling a touchdown. Turn your head left and right. If your chin touches the vest, it is too loose and should be tightened. Check the fit of a child's vest by tugging up on the vest. If it lifts high enough to cover the child's ears, it is too loose.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have a proper snug fit. Do this before the boat leaves the dock or shore. No life vest works if you don't wear it. (That's from the Coast Guard too.)
Tags: Coast Guard, plastic buckle, Type vests, Type vests designed, vests designed
