For anyone who is on the water, fishing, on a cruise or any other reason, life jacket safety is essential. Of the lives that were lost on fatal boating accidents, it is estimated that 80% of them could have been saved by life jackets. Even though that the boat operator is responsible for precautionary measures, accidents still happen. Especially when there are high speeds involved. It is a matter of seconds when something could go horrendously wrong and then there is not enough time to reach stowed life jackets.
That's why the United States Coast Guard requires everyone by law to wear their life jackets whenever they are at water. Making people wear these life saving jackets is not as easy as it usually seems. Boaters usually enjoy the feel of the sun and splash and spray on their bodies. Therefore, it is quite tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket, especially on nice sunny days.
So, to overcome that, and to take life jacket safety measures, contemporary life jackets are made that are available in an extensive range and varieties of shapes and sizes. Many are thin and flexible to avoid uncomfortableness, whilst some 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 consist of designing jackets such that help keep the head above water, which helps to breathe properly while 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 needed 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 under the age of 12
That is just half the picture. Capsizing of boats and overboard falls are the most number of reported fatal accidents, which is around 59 percent of all boating accidents. Statistics have shown that 9 of 10 drowning victims could have easily survived a capsizing if they had been wearing a life jacket.
Life jacket safety plays a huge role in many scenarios. For illustration, when the vessel is capsized in harsh water or heavy ocean conditions, or one gets thrown off the vessel as a consequence of collision. Even if some object in the ocean injures someone and he cannot swim, the life jacket will support him to remain above the surface until rescuers come. Also sometimes, when the boaters fall off the boat while fishing or because of any other tragedy and are incapable to swim because of heavy or soggy clothing, the jacket helps them to float until they're saved. Thankfully, today, the comfort is no longer an issue and individuals are starting to recognize the value of safety before comfort.
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