Have a HAPPY and SAFE Saturday!

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Drowning Impact Awareness Month

Important Dates

DROWNING IMPACT AWARENESS MONTH

8/1 - International Friendship Day
8/12 -  International Youth Day
8/17/19  - Water Safety Expo in Tuscon

It's time to go back to school but it still feels like summer, so continue to stay safe around water. This month's blog is focused on drowning impact awareness and portable flotation devices that could save your child's life if they fall into water. Awareness and prevention are key to avoiding this tragedy.

Puddle Jumpers

Puddle Jumpers are a great flotation device for beginning swimmers as the design allows children to lie on their bellies and practice arm strokes and kicks without the worry of sinking. However, this same design can also be very dangerous children under 30 lbs and not able to hold themselves up in the water. If a child is not able to control their body weight, they will end up on their back with their head being forced underwater by the flotation device. Please ALWAYS check all flotation devices for Coast Guard Approved.  There are Puddle Jumper knock-offs and other flotation devices that are not Coast Guard Approved that you should be wary of. Always use the correct weight requirements and usage. This a very popular product, so we urge caution on the side of safety when purchasing or using it and any other flotation device.

Portable Flotation Devices

The following list explains the types of PFD’s and what they are recommended by the US Coast Guards to be used for and when they are required.

Type I PFDs – Off-shore life jackets: best devices for all waters, open ocean, rough seas or remote water where rescue may be slow in coming. 

Type II PFDs – Near-shore buoyant vests: for general boating activities, calm inland waters or where there is a good chance for fast rescue.

Type III PFDs – Flotation aids: For general boating or specialized activity that is marked on the device (such as water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, hunting etc.). 

Type IV PFDs – Throwable devices: designed to be thrown to persons in distress. Often includes boat seat cushions, ring buoys and horseshoe buoys. 

Type V PFDs – Special use and condition devices: typically labeled with their limits of use. Commonly used for canoeing/kayaking, boardsailing, deck suits, work vests for commercial vessels and man over-board situations and law enforcement. Also included in this classification are hybrid inflatables. Hybrid inflatables are deflated devices and can be inflated on demand. These devices can have a buoyancy of between 22 and 34 lbs.

An important part of having and using a PFD is the fit. It should fit comfortably and snug. It is important to try it on before use. It should not ride up your body. To test whether the it has the correct buoyancy for your weight, when lying on your back in water and relaxing, the PFD should keep your chin well above water. If it does not, a device with higher buoyancy is needed.

*Information from www.grainger.com

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