Not all life vests are bulky, orange and impossible to like

Not all life vests are bulky, orange and impossible to like

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Story Published: May 16, 2008 at 6:41 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 8:19 PM PDT

By Herb Weisbaum

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It's a piece of clothing that could save your life.

Personal flotation devices - or life jackets - are a must if you're on the water. But those bulky orange jackets are so very yesterday.

Today's life vests have cool colors and more stylish designs. The kid-size versions feature familiar friends, such as Scooby Doo, Spiderman and Dora the Explorer.

The goal is to make these lifesavers something everyone wants to wear.

Safety experts say any time you're on a boat, you should wear a personal flotation device because you never know what could happen. That's why everyone - including adults - should wear one.

"We want you to wear your life jacket and have fun boating so you can continue to boat," said James Baker of Seattle Boat Company.

Baker says the vests are not as uncomfortable as some people think they are.

"It's not a problem at all. You know on a hot day like right now, it's not bothering me at all," he said while boating in near-80 degree weather.

What about people who keep the vests on the boat but don't wear them, thinking they could put them on if something should happen?

Not good enough, Baker says.

"Because you never know what could happen. You might be reaching over to get something, you fall. And if it's in the boat it's not going to do you any good," he said.

According to the Coast Guard, nine out of ten victims who drown in a boating mishap were not wearing a life jacket.

Today's life vests are lightweight and easy to stow. They have built-in gas cartridges that go off when they hit the water, causing the vests to inflate automatically.

And you can also get a life vest for your best friend. Yes, dogs can swim, but if they fall into rough water or get hurt when they go over, a doggie life jacket could save them.

Seattle Boat Company wants to encourage kids to use life vests, so they came up with a summer-long promotion -- buy gas at Seattle Boat's fuel dock at Newport and every kid 12 and under wearing a life vest gets free ice cream.

More Information:

Choosing the right life jacket

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