◆ SpookStack

rrr meee BUOYANT CUSHION provides fair Rotation if worn correctly, left, but slips ewoy from unconscious swimmer To get a better idea of how the different types of lifesaving devices work. PM's edi- tors set up 2 simple testing program. We sent a shopper to a nearby marine-supply store with instructions to buy one of each Coast Guard-appreved device. plus a selec- tion of other popular types. We borrowed an average-sized tester, Bayard Richards of the PM promotional staff, and the big Olympic swimming pool at Chicago's Sher- aton Towers Hotel. One at a time, we fitted the devices on our “victim,” threw him into the pool, and watched to see how he came up. All of the devices worked, but some worked better than others. Here's how: For our tests, we chose a three-pad buoy- ant vest. a yoke-type buoyant vest. a buoyant cushion. a Water-ski belt, an inflat- able tisherman’s vest, and a floating cout designed for hunting and fishing in cold weather, That's a good, representative selection of the devices you'll see on any summer afternoon out at the lake. Incidentally. the =much-misused term “life pre: actually describes only the big jacket-type device required on boats over 40 feet or those carrying paying pas- sengers, We didn't include this type which is seldom seen on pleasure be Bigger, bulkier. more expensive—and better—than, YOKE-TYPE VEST holds swimmer high ond upright, left; keeps unconscious man riding high, face out of woter POPULAR MECHANICS ISA