The key to survival in cold water immersion is wearing a lifejacket whenever you are on or near the water. The goal is to keep your head and face out of the water while you either try to resuce yourself or wait for rescue to arrive. Here, we'll examine the different types of flotation equipment,what kind of protection each has to offer and also discuss how to maintain and test your devices to keep them in reliable and good condition.

Lifejackets fall into various categories depending on their usage for different levels of activity. Choosing the right one is usually a matter of personal preference, but the thing to remember is that it's best to have a device that will automatically keep your head and face out of the water and floating face up, especially if you become unconscious.

• Federal Requirements(pfd)
• Float-Tech® Inflatable Life Jacket
• Mustang Survival PFD’s
• The Other 20% -- When Wearing a Life Jacket Is Not Enough(pdf)