If you are one of those who have not yet put the soup in the corner and use every moment of good weather to soup, don't forget about safety. Despite the possibly pleasant temperatures, the water is cold, so wearing a life jacket or PFD equipment (Personal Floating Device) is never superfluous. You know, the safest safety equipment is the one you wear.
WHY DO YOU NEED A LIFE JACKET?
A life jacket is the second most important thing you need to use in water sports. The first is the brain. Maybe now you think it's funny or excessive to wear a life jacket while paddling around Lake Cerkniška, maybe you think that you have so much balance that you won't fall into the water. No matter what your sailing or swimming skills are, never underestimate nature. A life jacket has the adjective "life-saving" for a reason.
HOW TO CHOOSE A LIFE JACKET FOR SWIMMING?
Not every life jacket is a good life jacket. Life jackets are classified into 5 categories, where most life jackets for water activities fall into category III (classic life jackets) or V (self-inflating life jackets).
The life jacket must correspond to a safety certificate , most often it is the European mark CE EN393* or ISO 12402-3:2006. When sipping or rowing, in addition to safety, it is important that the life jacket is comfortable and does not hinder you during the activity.
The size of the life jacket varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so always read their recommendations, and even better, try the life jacket on live. There are different models on the market - from classic life jackets, sailing life jackets and self-inflating airbags. For paddling, we recommend choosing one that allows you to row comfortably and unhindered for several hours, i.e. a classic life jacket or a self-inflating pillow.
*CE is a European standard covering design, performance, material specification and even usage information, and the EN393 mark ensures a minimum of 5kg of buoyancy.
HOW TO WEAR A LIFE JACKET CORRECTLY?
When trying on a life jacket, always put it on with the straps loose. If it is fastened with a zipper, it should not be too loose or too tight. Always tighten the straps from the bottom up, only tighten the shoulder straps at the end. This method will ensure that the life jacket stays in place during the activity and does not climb up.
You don't have many opportunities to adjust your lifebelt during activity, especially when you are diving. Check if your life jacket fits - raise your hands and have someone pull the shoulder straps. If the jacket stays in place, you have put it on correctly. If the jacket moves, tighten the bottom straps a little more. If your jacket still creeps up, choose another model. Always imitate rowing with the jacket and test how it behaves while moving.
HOW ABOUT A SELF-INFLATING LIFE BAG?
Many recreational divers swear by a compact self- inflating life jacket that is worn like a pouch around the waist. This allows for comfortable and unhindered rowing, and in the event of an accident, it is activated by pulling the cord.
LIFE JACKET FOR CHILDREN
If you do a lot of diving with children, then you know that it is recommended to put on a life jacket for them, regardless of summer or winter. The process of choosing the right size life jacket for a child is the same as for adults, but comfort is even more important. If the jacket is comfortable, the child will forget that he is wearing it during the activity. If he has trouble with this, perhaps you can get him excited about wearing it by teaching him how to put it on properly yourself. And don't forget, parents are the biggest role models for children, so make sure you keep yourself safe.
