Life Ring Preserver – Three Warnings for Boaters who Forgo Safety
A life ring preserver is usually thrown to a person who has accidentally fallen into water. Vessels sixteen feet and longer are required to carry a life ring preserver, and these personal flotation devices (PFDs) are a common feature on passenger ships. You can also see them on bridges. Many a life has been saved with a life ring preserver, and it’s a handy piece of equipment to keep on board. It will not help you much, however, if you fail to heed these three warnings.
A LIFE RING PRESERVER SHOULD NEVER BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADULT SUPERVISION
The life ring is not a toy, and it should only be used in emergency situations. The presence of life preservers and other PFDs may lull parents into a false sense of security, but it is important that you pay attention to your children at all times when they are in or near the water. A child can slip into water unnoticed, and may not call for help. Don’t let your child be the victim of a silent drowning death.
A LIFE RING PRESERVER SHOULD NEVER BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR LIFE VESTS
There are many situations where a life ring would be ineffective, such as where the victim is unconscious, or where the boat has overturned. Each passenger should wear a life vest once on the water, including infants and pets. A Type I life vest would automatically turn an unconscious person into the face up position, minimizing the risk of drowning.
MAKE SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH LIFE RING PRESERVERS ON BOARD
A good rule of thumb is to carry at least as many PFDs as there are passengers, but the number of life rings is generally left up to common sense for smaller private boats. Ensure the preservers are strategically located, so that you can easily throw one to any unfortunate passenger who falls overboard.