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Life Jacket Is Boater's Best Friend, Says Underwriters Laboratories

NORTHBROOK, Ill., - June 8, 2004 - Wearing a personal floatation device (PFD), more commonly known as a life jacket, is the most important safety precaution in boating, advises Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the independent, not-for-profit safety testing and certification organization.

"No one plans to fall overboard," says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for UL. "Most boaters are not prepared to deal with the situation if it occurs. Even experienced swimmers may panic and find themselves in danger."

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that more than one person drowns everyday in a recreational boating accident. In eight out of 10 drownings, the individual was not wearing a life jacket.

Drengenberg recommends keeping in mind the following tips before you plan any boating activity this season:

  • At least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved/UL-Listed PFD should be available for each person on board;
  • Read PFD label to make sure the device is appropriate for height and weight;
  • Check the PFD's buoyancy in shallow water first before venturing far from shore. Relax your body and let your head tilt back. The PFD should keep your chin above water and allow you to breathe easily;
  • Check the fit on children before purchasing by gently pulling up on the PFD's shoulders. Your child's chin and ears will not slip through the neck holes while wearing a properly fitted PFD;
  • Check PFDs for rips, holes and tears, making sure straps and hardware are in place and secure;
  • When not being used, don't expose them to the sun for long periods or dry on a radiator or heater-sunlight or heat can weaken some synthetic fabrics and degrade the buoyancy material;
  • Purchase more than one kind of life jacket if you use your boat for more than one purpose, such as a cruise on a calm lake one day, and a deep-sea fishing trip the next;
  • Stand out in a crowd. You want to be highly visible in the water. Orange may not be your color, but it's the easiest one for rescuers to spot.

"Life jackets don't work unless you wear them," says Drengenberg. "Don't store them in the boat on the floorboards where they become wet and mildewed; instead, keep them dry and available. Life jackets are almost impossible to find and put on quickly once you are in the water."

He also cautions that inflatable toys, rafts, ski jackets or belts and other devices are not approved by the U.S. Coast Guard or UL as flotation devices, and should not be used as a substitute for a PFD.

About Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization that has been testing products for more than 110 years. UL tests more than 18,850 types of products annually, and more than 19 billion UL Marks appear on products each year. Worldwide, UL's family of companies and its network of service providers include 60 laboratories, and testing and certification facilities.

Press Contacts:

For additional information on these safety tips and others, or to set up an interview with John Drengenberg, please contact one of the following UL representatives:

David Gutierrez, UL/Rhea & Kaiser, +1-630-955-6623, david_gutierrez@rkconnect.com

Joanne Beardslee, UL/Rhea & Kaiser, +1-630-955-6618, joanne_beardslee@rkconnect.com

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