Can You Really Not Drown? | Buoyancy Explained

It is enough to lose a couple of seconds so that the little ones at home appear immediately by the pool. It is a constant danger difficult to stop. According to the National Drowering report, until July there had been a total of 32 children’s deaths for drowning in aquatic environments, seven more than 25 in the same period last year. The situation is even more worrying if adults are added: in total, 303 people have lost their lives drowned in our country so far this yearthe worst figure in the last decade. Half of those accidents have occurred on beaches. Older people, between 45 and 75 years are, by far, the most vulnerable.

Given the figures, any idea, if it really works, is good to help stop this type of tragedies. The last one that has caught our attention is called Floateeit is a French company, and has created a lycra shirt that integrates a self -reable float so that the person who carries it begins to float at the same moment in which it falls into the water or when it is already inside and believes that your life is in danger.

Technically, it is not that it is an industrial wonder, but Its simple functioning, simplicity of use and a casual style make it a very interesting product That anyone who likes water, whether athlete or not, should take into account.

A shirt that saves lives

In a word game that mixes float (floatin English) with tee (T -shirt), the product is presented as an apparently comfortable dress garment. The idea is that you can take it at any time, and that is the main trick to consider in front of a traditional life vest. While normal vests, whether cork or inflatable plates, bulge and limit movements, Floatee allows total mobility when there is no dangersince its internal structure is completely deflated and the fabric is elastic and light. Like a shirt.

The only paste is that more than a shirt is like carrying one of those liqueras for surfers, something more padded and with a style closer to that of a winter vest. Actually, the invention is very similar to the vests that drive surfers of giant waves to the surface when they fallonly adapted to foot consumers.

Floatee’s official photos seem to show a more uniform and clean finishbut in my case, the interior float needed its space and the gas bottle of yours, slightly bulging my left side. It is nothing serious, but Do not think about the product as a dress shirt that swells by magic. It is more bulky than that conceptual idea that you have in your head, but not so much as to become annoying.

The interior float is of great quality, with seams Thermosellates and manufactured with material of quite thickness, which guarantees its durability. So far everything is fine. After placing it, adjust the zipper, tighten the adjustments and jump into the water … What happened?

Automatic or manual vest

In my case nothing happened because the model I have been trying is to Manual action. This means that if you throw yourself or fall into the water, nothing happens until you pull the inflation lever. And it makes sense, since this vest is adequate for people who work in the water and do not require assistance until a certain time. For example, a surfer could surf the waves and fall into the water on a thousand occasions, and I would only activate the vest in case of emergency (An injury or after being dragged by a large wave). Or an elderly could be bathing without problem in the Cantabrian with this shirt and not activating it until it is involved in a danger situation by a current.

The automatic option would be recommended for situations in which Falling water is synonymous with accident. Whether working on a ship, walking on a sea, fishing … any activity that does not require bathe by default. There the vest would activate the load automatically at the time it detects water, so it is not necessary to act anything.

It is just what happens in the model for Floatee children, which comes by default in the automatic version. It is obviously a security measure imposedsince in the case of the little ones it is understood that their fall to water is a reason for help. Available in various colors, its design is very beautiful and Feel very good as a summer garment For this type of aquatic environments.

When it comes to grabbing the shooter, it is better to have practiced before. If the elastic fabric confuses with its folds and false pockets while we are out dry, in the water, finding the pocket that hides the expulsion cord can become a fairly complicated task. That’s why, It is advisable to practice the action of looking for the rope Previously to memorize the process, since in times of tension it could be difficult to find it.

Becoming in less than 5 seconds

The truly surprising thing about the system is that the load of CO₂ injects a ‘air canon’ directly into the float in less than a second, causing the stabilization of the person and its orientation With the chest up in less than five seconds. It is a quite surprising maneuver, since, after pulling the rope, there is a small outbreak that Fill the float completely, catching neck and shoulders and keeping you afloat almost immediately.

The distribution and design of the floats prevent the person who has been placed face down, since the float will always wear the head upavoiding possible drowning due to fainting or other situations.

The price of living

It may sound exaggerated, but deep down it is what we are talking about: how much does it cost to be sure that nothing will happen to you in the water, to you a vulnerable relative as a child or an older person? Floatee is priced at 199 euros for the adult version, while that of children stays at 149 euros. The vest includes a load, but future loads must be bought separately at a price of 29 euros load. We must remember that these bottle are of a single use, so after pulling the rope you will have to buy another load if we want the vest to continue to use.

With that price, seeing the usefulness and ease of use, I think it is a very interesting accessory that many people should take into account if they are usually in this type of environments with danger of falling into the water. His Discreet design It makes it directly into the most elegant option, and it is that elegance and floatR They are not usually two terms that fit too much.

What alternatives are there?

Currently, there is no other commercial product such as Floatee in the market. A garment that unifies the design of a shirt and that manages to integrate a self -inflatable life vest into a product designed for people on foot, and not athletes, It is something that you will not find in another place. The alternatives are more traditional solutions that, obviously, will have a smaller price, but will lack the sophisticated floroatee touch.

An option is to opt for this self -nchout model that requires buying the CO₂ load separately. It is a vest very compact and light that serves as a complement, but that does not cover that garment function as the floatee does. His 18 euros price It makes it an emergency option to always carry in the backpack.

Another simpler proposal is the usual vest, with lumbar grip and rigid body. This of Helly Hansen is of very good quality and is available in other colors. Does not use CO₂ loadsso the interior plates are responsible for floatability. Against him, freedom of movements is seriously restricted. Forget about swimming as if you just wear a shirt.

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