◆ SpookStack

akimes eet SMHER’S BELT proved easiest to swim in, lets swimmer tread water effortletsly-while he's in control most other devices. such an “official” life preserver is always Indian Orange in color. and bears its identification notice stamped or stenciled (no tags) on the canvas cover. Such preservers are inspected at the fac- tory by the Coast Guard, But there are other approved devices, made to Coast Giiard specifications without official inspec- tion. which are identified by a cloth tag sewn on the cover, Coast Guard-approved vests and cush- ions ure made of kapok or fibrous glass scaled in plastic film. or unicellular plastic foam, and covered with fabric or plastic material. The soft pads are easier to Wear and more comfortable: the fairly-rigid foam is more durable and can't be damaged by punctur- ing. All approved types give about the same amount uf flotation. but there is some price difference. The foam types can cost from 25 to 40 percent more than the soft- pad types. Buoyant vests come in two basic styles: the regular vest. usually made up of three flotation units. two fore and one aft, and worn like a jacket: and the yoke or bib type. which is one big slab of flotation with a neck hole near the tan and a waist stran .Centinued to poge 218) LACKING COASTGUARD OKAY, but effective, fisherman's vest, left, ond buoyant-insylated jacket tested well MARCH 1962