Safety - Life belts, vests, and First Aid

Life Belts and Vests

While modern practice is to teach swimming with no artificial aids to body buoyancy, various types of life belts and vests have their place as safety factors in water sports. For a number of years, a water-skiers’ life belt has been available. Fitting around the waist, it provides a measure of buoyancy and will keep the body above water. While it is small enough not to interfere with the skier’s activities, it does keep the head above water if the user should become unconscious or disabled. There are also a number of different types of inflatable belts available, usually using a carbon-dioxide container which releases the gas into the belts when the release valve is opened. Also available are several types

Artificial respiration mouth-to-mouth (mouth-to-nose) method

o “invisible” life belts which can be worn under the trunks or bathing suit and which are inflated by opening a cartridge of gas. However, none of the inflatable types of life preservers have the approval of the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard requires that all powered pleasure craft carry an approved vest-type life jacket or buoyant seat cushion for each person aboard the craft. The approved vest-type jackets have the advantage that they are designed to keep the head of the wearer above water. These are available in adult size and in several children’s sizes, and their use for young children is highly recommended.

First Aid

Sunburn, cuts, bruises, sprains, possible fractures, and drowning are the waterfront or water-sports hazards. A first-aid kit should be at every waterfront location and aboard every boat. At a minimum it should contain fresh first-aid supplies, adhesive bandage, sterile gauze pads, waterproof adhesive tape, triangle bandages, sunburn lotion and a warm blanket. In case of serious injury, attempts should be made to stop any bleeding, the patient should be wrapped in the blanket, and medical aid obtained.

Every person who participates in water activities should be prepared to give artificial respiration when necessary to restore breathing. The chart on pages 218 and 219 graphically details the currently approved method of artificial respiration.

Keywords: Sports, Water Sports, Skiing, Skin Diving, Scuba Diving, Kayak Surfing, Swimming

Tags: water sports

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