Life preserver
Life preserver
A life preserver, also known as a life buoy, lifebelt, or life ring, is a piece of personal flotation equipment designed to keep a person afloat in water. It is typically used in emergency situations to prevent drowning.
Design and Features[edit | edit source]
Life preservers are usually made of buoyant materials such as cork, kapok, or synthetic foam. They are often ring-shaped and brightly colored to enhance visibility in the water. Some life preservers are equipped with reflective tape and a whistle to attract attention during rescue operations.
Types of Life Preservers[edit | edit source]
There are several types of life preservers, including:
- Ring Buoys: Circular devices that can be thrown to a person in the water.
- Horseshoe Buoys: Shaped like a horseshoe and often used on boats.
- Inflatable Life Preservers: Can be manually or automatically inflated when needed.
Usage[edit | edit source]
Life preservers are commonly found on ships, boats, and aircraft. They are also used in swimming pools and other aquatic environments. In many countries, regulations require the presence of life preservers on certain types of vessels and in specific locations.
Regulations and Standards[edit | edit source]
Life preservers must meet specific safety standards set by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). These standards ensure that the devices provide adequate buoyancy and are durable enough to withstand harsh conditions.
History[edit | edit source]
The concept of the life preserver dates back to ancient times, with early versions made from materials like animal bladders and wood. The modern life preserver, as we know it today, was developed in the 19th century and has since evolved with advancements in materials and technology.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Categories[edit | edit source]
This safety equipment related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD