Staying Safe

Roundup

Staying Safe

Safety gear for the Great Lakes

By Heather Magda Serrano

The Great Lakes are far from your average lakes. They’re more like small oceans, and as such they can be fairly treacherous, especially if you’re unprepared.

Safety should always be at the top of your list of priorities as boaters. Here are some products to help keep you safe out there on the inland seas.

Bombora Adventurer PFD Belt Type III

As United States Coast Guard Approved Type III PFDs, Bombora’s inflatable PFD belts make a perfect match for Great Lakes boaters. The 24 is a larger flotation device fit with a traditional life jacket design. Whatever your plans are for the Great Lakes, these belts fit the bill, whether you’re simply cruising around or exploring in a kayak.

Bombora’s PFDs are non-restrictive and provide a more comfortable and cooler fit than bulky, foam life jackets while still providing full safety. All you have to do is pull the manual pull-cord which then activates a CO2 gas cartridge which inflates the belt into a full life jacket. The belt also features a zippered pocket, D-ring attachments for small accessories and soft, breathable neoprene-style liner.
(www.bomboragear.com)

Bombora Adventurer PFD Belt Type III - Expanded

Crewsaver Pro 50N EX Buoyancy Aid

Crewsaver’s Pro 50N EX buoyancy aid is designed to meet the demands of multiple watersports, making it the perfect fit for the active Great Lakes boater. Since it’s a versatile solution, you’re better able to personalize it to suit whatever activity you choose. Fitted with multiple accessory mount loops and a dedicated knife pocket for safety, this buoyancy aid is ideal for adventurers and recreational watersport enthusiasts alike.

You’ll find a large, easy-to-reach expandable pocket situated on the front of the buoyancy aid which is perfect for carrying essentials, like maybe a good snack. You’ll also be sure to have a comfortable fit thanks to the dual waist adjusters, stretch mesh shoulder straps and internal grip strips. It’s also lightweight and super soft.
(www.crewsaver.com)

DrySee Waterproof Bandages

Sometimes life out on the Great Lakes can leave you with some scrapes and bruises. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have some waterproof bandages on board. The medical technology company DrySee recently introduced its patented waterproof bandage with liquid intrusion alert.

DrySee is an alternative to traditional cloth or plastic bandages which comes in very handy when you need more reliable wound protection and water blockage. These waterproof bandages provide a secure, waterproof covering for low exudate wounds. It’ll let you know if water or other liquids make their way into the bandage when the liquid indicating gauze along the perimeter of the bandage turns a dark blue color. This takes the guesswork out of replacing bandages because you can see if they’re wet or dry.
(www.drysee.com)

Full Throttle Little Dippers Kids Life Jacket

With the Little Dippers Kids Life Jacket from Full Throttle, you can keep your little swimmers safe out on the Great Lakes. This is a safety vest designed to give your little ones buoyancy and stability without restricting their movements. Plus, they’ll love the fun designs on these vests.

The soft polyester material of the life jacket prevents chafing and the adjustable buckle strap allows the jacket to grow with your child. The unrestricted mobility and soft feel of the fabric will help kids to build their confidence in the water while simultaneously enhancing their safety.
(www.fullthrottlewatersports.com)

Elide Fire Ball Fire Extinguisher

Everyone needs a proper fire extinguisher on board, just in case. West Marine’s Elide Fire Ball Fire Extinguisher will help set your mind at ease in case you ever need to put out a fire. The fire extinguisher only activates when it comes in contact with a flame and does not activate due to elevated levels of heat. Once the flame comes in contact with the Elide Fire Ball, it will activate and extinguish the fire quickly, within around three to five seconds. The fire extinguisher includes traditional mounting brackets and offers protection in any place on board your boat where there’s a fire risk. The Elide Fire Ball has multiple certifications and memberships including the National Fire Protection Association Membership and British Standards Institution Certification.
(www.westmarine.com)

Get-a-Grip Boarding Assist Handle

Sometimes it can be a little tricky to pull yourself up out of the Great Lakes and back on to your boat. That’s where the Boarding Assist Handle from Get-a-Grip Marine comes in handy. This innovative marine hardware idea helps you get in and out of your boat safely from a boarding ladder or swim platform.

It gives you a large handhold at the transom and above the gunwale where many boat manufacturers only provide you with a small, difficult-to-find ridged handle. The boarding assist handles are portable and easy to use in addition to being sturdy, lightweight and safe. They even float, so you won’t lose them if you accidentally drop them while installing them on your boat. Made from marine grade PVC, they come ready to use right out of the box.
(www.getagripmarine.com)

Onyx A/M-24 Impulse All-Clear Inflatable Life Jacket

The A/M-24 Impulse All-Clear Inflatable Life Jacket from Onyx is the perfect fit for Great Lakes boaters. This life jacket automatically inflates upon immersion in the water or when you pull the “Jerk to Inflate” handle. It also comes equipped with a back-up oral inflation, just in case. The Impulse life jacket gives you comfort, safety and peace of mind out on the Great Lakes. Plus, it’s so comfortable and inconspicuous that you won’t even notice you’re wearing it until you need it. Instead of inflating in the water, it can be converted to “manual only” inflation.
(www.onyxoutdoor.com)

Throwraft TD 2401 Inflatable Throwable

As one of the smallest throwable Type IV PFD’s on the market, the Throwraft TD 2401 Inflatable Throwable is designed for the ultimate safety on boats. This PFD meets carriage requirements and can legally replace other throwable Type IV devices on recreational vessels.

The TD 2401 Inflatable Throwable is built to last and made with the highest quality materials in the USA. It automatically inflates in the water and can be re-packed and re-armed. Plus, it’s highly visible in a search and rescue situation. Not to mention that it’s a compact design, which can fit almost anywhere on your boat. This PFD is made in the USA and is also approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
(www.throwraft.com)

Ruffwear Float Coat for Dogs

What Great Lakes adventure is complete without your furry friend? So make sure to keep your pooch safe out there on the water with its own life jacket. The Ruffwear Float Coat for dogs is designed for dogs of all shapes and sizes. It’s a premium fully-featured life jacket that includes thoughtful details such as a strong handle optimally positioned to lift dogs out of the water.

It also has a leash clip-in point under the handle and a reflective trim to enhance visibility in low-light conditions. This doggy life jacket is made with buoyant and soft PVC-free foam that gives your dog both maneuverability and comfort in and out of the water. You won’t want to head out without this handy dog life jacket.
(www.ruffwear.com)

ResQLink View Personal Locator Beacon

Requiring no subscription, this buoyant Personal Locator Beacon from West Marine includes a digital display providing live status and GPS coordinates. No matter where you are on the Great Lakes, you can trust the ResQLink’s satellite precision and military durability to guide rescuers to you if you’re ever in trouble. The ResQLink has three levels of integrated signal technology: GPS positioning, a powerful 406 MHz signal and a 121.5 homing capability. These three levels allow the device to quickly and accurately relay your position to a worldwide network of search and rescue satellites. In addition, it has a built-in strobe and infrared strobe which facilitate nighttime (or other low visibility) rescues. No matter where your adventures take you on the Great Lakes, you can rest assured that you’ll always be found.

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