– I have this bright orange vest, says Kjell-Sigve Lervik. It is summer in the northern hemisphere. Many of us use a lifejacket or flotation device at least once during the summer. But have you ever thought about what color the vest you wear should be? Because it is not only important that it fits well. It should also be easy to see. If the boat you are in should suddenly sink, it is important that you are visible. Kjell-Sigve Lervik says even he hasn’t thought about what color he should have a life jacket in. But in the boat he still only has life jackets with bright and vibrant colors. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news HRS: – Use strong colors – We are concerned with visibility when you are out and about. Wear strong colors. Then you are easier to find both in the light and in the dark, says rescue inspector at the Central Rescue Center (HRS), Andreas Næsheim. He recommends vibrant colors such as orange or bright neon colors on the vest. – It saves us a lot of time if it is easy to see you in the water, he says. Andreas Høie Næsheim is a rescue inspector at HRS. He says it saves time for both the rescuers and yourself if you use a lifejacket in bright colours. Photo: Håkon Jonassen Norheim / news Thus it can also be vitally important for you which vest you choose to wear. Do you care about the color of the vest? Yes of course! No I do not. Not usually, but I’m going to start caring now! Show result 41 drowning accidents in the first half of the year In the first half of 2024, 41 people have drowned in Norway. 44 percent of drownings occurred after falling from land. There are twelve boat-related drownings. the boat-related accidents are divided into eight drowning accidents from leisure boats, three accidents from kayaks, one rafting accident and one from a commercial vessel. Six people have drowned in connection with swimming. In addition, one person drowned while diving, and one person died after a vehicle ended up in the sea. Thursday 25 July is World Drowning Prevention Day. Have tested with dolls – The right life jacket is one of the most important measures for good safety, says media officer at the Rescue Company, Henrikke Zachariassen. They have tested various life jackets on floating dolls in the water through exercises. – A vest with highly visible colors and reflectors has proven to be very effective, says Zachariassen. Along with vests in clear colours, the Rescue Company recommends you have inflatable vests. They are yellow on the inside when they are blown out. – The most important thing is that you use a vest that works. If it does not inflate, or if you use a vest that is too small or too big, it can have major consequences, she says. Lervik uses the boat a lot in the summer. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news – The yellow ones are popular According to the warehouse manager at XXL Forus in Stavanger, it seems that people are aware of which life jacket they buy. – We have some yellow and red life jackets that are popular. We also have some blue, but it seems to me that people are more concerned with safety than colour, says Cecilie Torheim. Which vest do you choose? Photo: Simon Elias Bogen She says customers rarely ask for lifejackets in dark colours. If you choose a lifejacket in a vibrant colour, you increase the chance of being seen and rescued quickly in the event of an accident. So why not go for a bright orange or bright yellow vest the next time you head out to sea? Thumbs up for knee orange life jacket. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news Published 25.07.2024, at 21.10
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An important factor for your safety at sea – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
