As more and more people play in the river during summer vacation, home centers in Osaka City are increasingly receiving inquiries about "life jackets" to prepare for accidents.
Experts advise that there are many different types of "life jackets" and that you should choose the one that fits your body and carefully consider whether it has sufficient functionality.

A hardware store in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka, sells life jackets of various designs that can be used in rivers and the sea, mainly for children.

Some of them have a swim bag on the neckline so that the head does not sink even if you lie on your back.

Until last year, sales of home swimming pools had increased due to the influence of the new corona, but this year inquiries about life jackets are increasing.

Rina Kawakami, chief of the Konan Higashiyodogawa Sugawara store, said, "Since the start of summer vacation, we have been receiving more and more inquiries from customers who go to the sea and rivers.

How to choose a life jacket

There are many different types of life jackets.

We asked Kazunari Sugawara, a senior researcher at the River Foundation, which analyzes accidents in rivers and conducts educational activities, about how to choose them.

Life jackets can be purchased at sporting goods stores, outdoor shops, home improvement stores, and even on Internet sites.

Kazunari Sugawara, Senior Researcher, River Foundation: "Life jackets range from a few thousand yen to over 1,4000 yen, but you can buy highly reliable products for about 5000,<> to <>,<>
yen. On the other hand, if it is a very cheap product, be sure to check carefully whether it has sufficient performance. In addition, the fit is important for safe use, so if you are buying it for the first time, it is safe to actually wear it at a store to check it. If it is used too many times or has been used for many years, it can reduce buoyancy and deteriorate the fabric and buckle, so you need to carefully check that it is functioning sufficiently."

Point 1 Playing in the river should be "solid"

There are two main types of life jackets: the "solid type" of the best type that contains buoyancy materials such as foam plastic, and the "inflatable type" that inflates with air when water falls.

The "inflatable type" is compact and easy to carry, and there is also a type that can be wrapped around the waist, but it is intended to be used in the unlikely event of a fall when fishing on an embankment.

Therefore, if you are always playing in the water or playing in the river, where you are supposed to get wet, you need to choose the "solid type".

Point 2: Check "buoyancy"

Also, make sure you have enough buoyancy.

Buoyancy is indicated on the life jacket body and tag.

When purchasing via the Internet, please check the product information on the website.

In general, a certain amount of buoyancy is required to get the head out of the water and ensure breathing, and according to the River Foundation, it is about 5.85~11.7 kg for adults and 4~5 kg for children.

When approaching a place called "white water" where the current is intense and the current is white and foamy, such as rafting or mountain stream fishing, it is better to choose one with more buoyancy.

Point 3: Check the "fit"

Choose something that you can't easily take off even if you fall into the river or get swept away.

Choose a zipper, belt, string, etc. that can adhere to your body.

If you can try it on, make sure that it does not shift even if you actually close the belt firmly and pull the shoulder part upward.

Also, in the case of children, it is easier to take off the life jacket than adults, so choose a type with an "inseam belt".

Point 4 Some with marks

When in doubt, you can choose one with a "mark" indicating that the performance has been confirmed.

When playing in a flowing river, it is safe to have the ▽RAC mark or ▽CS mark.

In particular, the RAC mark is attached to items that are designed for ease of movement and difficulty in taking off, and are specialized for playing in the river.

On the other hand, not all life jackets with the cherry blossom mark, which are mandatory to be worn on small boats, are suitable for activities in rivers with flows, so please make sure that they are difficult to take off.

Kazunari Sugawara, Senior Researcher, River Foundation: "Although there are risks,
rivers are also a place where you can have valuable experiences.