Why you should wear a lifejacket.

Most of the time there were lifejackets available on the boat, but when trouble happens it is too late to get them on.

You can find lifejackets designed for swimmers and non-swimmers, for all types of water activites. They are easy to put on and some models are designed to turn most unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water.

Some have more bouyancy than others. The size of lifejacket you wear depends on your weight and size. Choose one that is U.S. Coast Guard approved. Wear it properly, including fastening all zippers, snaps and/or ties.

As the California Department of Waterways poster below says:

Wear a lifejacket and insist everyone on your boat wears one.

If it’s your boat, it’s your responsibility.

Alcohol was involved in about one third of drowning deaths.

Lifejackets are not just for boating. In the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor's Manual we read:

"Young children and anyone who cannot swim well should wear a lifejacket whenever they are in, on, or around the water.

Even in public pools or waterparks, people who cannot swim well should wear a life jacket.

Life jackets are not a substitute for close supervision. Young children and poor swimmers need close supervision at all times. Whenever children are in, on or around the water, a responsible individual should be designated to provide constant supervision and stay within arm's reach of the child is a poor swimmers, even if the child is wearing a lifejacket."

With a lifejacket on you can also conserve body heat while awaiting rescue in cold water. If by yourself, use the HELP position —the heat escape lessening posture. When two or more people wearing life jackets find themselves in cold water, the huddle position will help them conserve body heat while awaiting rescue.

If you can reach safety with a few strokes, do so. If not, float in place in the HELP or Huddle position(s) and wait for help. Do not use the HELP or Huddle position(s) in moving water.

(Fremont Union High School District coaches Kiernan Raffo, J C Hovland, Jill Borges and Jeremy Kitchen posed for the next two photos.)

HELP (heat escape lessening posture)Position

1.Draw your knees up to your chest.

2.Keep your face forward and out of the water.

3.Hold your upper arms at your sides, and hold your lower arms against or across your chest.

Huddle Position

1. With two people, put your arms around each other so that your chests are together.

2. With three or more people, put your arms over each other’s shoulders so that the sides of your chests are together. Children or elderly persons should be placed in the middle of the huddle.

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see also: rogue or sneaker waves