Tag: swimming safety

Choosing the Right Life Jacket

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

One half of fatalities from recreational boating happen on the calm water, often even close to the shore.

In most cases life jackets are on board, but either go unworn or are not worn properly.

Activities that calls for life jackets are:

  • collection of life jacketsCruising
  • Paddling
  • Angling
  • Waterskiing
  • Racing
  • Swimming
  • Being Next to the Water

All people, from adult males to young children and pets, should wear the life jackets. Here are ways to ensure you have the right one.

Checking the Size

The size and weight information for each jacket can be found on the label. This will tell the range of weight the floatation device can support as well as the recommend height range of users.

Make sure that the jacket is fastened in the right fashion.

To do this, hold your arms over your head. If the tops of the arm openings can be pulled up past your chin, then the jacket is too big. It needs to be able to hold your head out of the water.

Auto Inflatable Life Jackets

This type of life jacket will automatically inflate upon immersion or from manual activation.

If a person wearing an inflatable jacket is in an accident and rendered unconscious, the device will turn the wearer face upwards.

These life jackets are not meant to be worn by children 16 years of age and younger. Additionally, this floatation device is not suitable for use in water sports.

Manual Inflatable Life Jackets

These jackets inflate only when wearers manually trigger the inflation device.

Manually inflatable jackets are cool and comfortable to wear since they are not bulky like most other life jackets.

This kind of jacket will also turn the wearer face up should they be rendered unconscious; however, it has to be inflated before their accident.

These do require some regular maintenance to insure inflation devices and pull cords are in working order and that there are no holes in the jacket itself.  Jackets of this kind should not be worn by children 16 or younger.

They are not recommended for water sports either.

Belt Pack Inflatable

This life preserver will also inflate automatically if it is submerged or it can be manually inflated.

Very easy to wear, this device wraps around and is secured to the wearer’s waist.

It should be placed over the head after it has been inflated and also requires regular maintenance.

Belt packs are not meant for water sports or children 16 and younger.

Vest Life Jackets

This is the most seen life jacket. They are typically orange.

The vest can turn an unconscious person face up and requires very little maintenance.

This is a great life jacket for those who do not know how to swim. It is also versatile as it is great for using as a flotation device. It is normally less bulky than other off-shore vests.

Children’s Hybrid Inflatable

These types of life jackets offer automatic inflation, but it can also be inflated manually.

These do require regular maintenance, and will turn an unconscious person upward like others mention previously.

It is not meant to wear during water sports.

Children’s Life Jacket

These types of life jackets are designed for possible immersion.

It may not turn a person face up, but requires little maintenance.

Most types of life jackets typically includes safety features for your child.

For more information check out the How to Choose the Right Life Jacket brochure from the United States Coast Guard found here.

Brush Up on Pool Safety

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Many lake homes have pools allowing the homeowner to enjoy a private dip, but a pool, just like any body of water, can be very dangerous.

According to the National Safety Council, nearly 600 adults and children drown every single year in swimming pools. However, if you know the rules and understand the importance of pool safety, then you can make this number go down tremendously.

Sometimes common sense is not used and dangerous events could occur. Listed below are some pool safety tips that will keep you and your children safe over those fun summer months in the pool.

Pool RulesSafety Codes

One of the most important things you can to do to prevent pool accidents from occurring is to study up on the codes and ordinances in your community. Also as what their specific requirements are.

This will assist you in preparing a guideline and establishing a set of rules for your pool.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the National Safety Council’s Water Safety Tips.

Material Used to Create the Pool Area

You must be very careful when you are choosing the materials of your pool equipment. Items such as ladders, diving boards, and the deck of your pool must all be made from non-slick materials.

This will help prevent any unnecessary slips and falls. A great deal of injuries that occur near water happens because a portion of the pool area was slippery. This could be very easily prevented by the materials you choose.

Pool Ladder Standards

Most pool owners do not know this but it is required that you have a ladder at both sides of your pool. This will give swimmers quick access if they need to get out due to an emergency. It is an absolute must that these ladders have handrails that a child can grasp, so they must be small.

One other aspect of the pool ladder most people do not know is that the steps must be at least 3 inches wide. Following these basic guidelines will help you to ensure that access both in and out of your pool is easy.

Pool Area Fencing

While there is no national law regarding pools and fences, many states have laws in place requiring a barrier around the pool to prevent small children from entering unsupervised.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has released a Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools that can help you better understand regulations.

Pool Cleanliness

Make sure that you take the time to clean your pool on a regular basis as well as maintaining the equipment. This means that you must check for any broken equipment. This includes ladders and any other materials that are worn out or missing.

Make sure also that your children know some basic pool etiquette. No pushing, of course, and no running or horseplay. These activities are the most common reasons why young children fall in the pool and get hurt or drown.

Following these basic guidelines for safety will help you and your family stay safe at the pool.