USCG Approved Ring Buoy

After some research, I was convinced that this was the best value for a U.S.C.G approved rescue ring. It is well built and feels like the rescue rings I have seen at public pools and on large boats. It looks nice, has plenty of buoyancy and is heavy enough to throw to someone who needs assistance. This is not a pool toy, it's a real lifesaving device. If you are shopping for a rescue device, make sure you look for a device that is U.S.C.G approved. Otherwise, you may be buying a toy or a decoration. If you intend to use this as a rescue device, get the real thing. Someone's life could depend on it!In most cases, you should attach a rope to this ring so you will be able to pull a victim back to safety without entering the water. Untrained rescuers can be injured or killed if they enter the water to rescue someone. Even lifeguards try to avoid entering the water unless it is necessary. The ring I received did not have a rope (the description didn't promise one).Make sure you mount this ring in a visible and easily accessed location. Like a fire extinguisher, this ring will do you no good if you have to search for it in an emergency situation. You may only have seconds to react before a victim submerges or can no longer grasp the ring. Also, you should occasionally practice throwing and retrieving this device with a person acting as a simulated victim in the water.I made a mounting bracket for it by cutting. melting and forming a PVC pipe. I attached the bracket to a pressure treated 4x4 cemented into the ground (next to a small pond on my property). If you search youtube for PVC projects that involve bending PVC, you will see that this isn't too hard to do. Of course, amazon will be happy to sell you a nice hook for about $17.A quick note about the picture: at the time of this review, the picture of the ring shows the rope coming out of hoops embedded inside the foam of the ring. The ring I received has nylon straps that completely surround the actual ring (in four places) and the rope attaches to these nylon straps. I like this design better because straps that completely surround the ring are a more secure attachment (in my experience as a lifeguard). The down side of this design is that there is less space for lettering on this ring because the nylon straps surround the ring and take up some of the space that could be used for lettering. This isn't an issue for me (I'm not lettering this), but could matter for some people. There is still room for lettering, just know that you will need to letter between the straps. Different sizes may have different strap configurations, so I can only speak to what I received.

I think most private pools and fishing docks would want this 20 inch size that I bought. It's just the right size to save a person and to be able to toss, without looking too big or hard to find a place to hang out of the way. Well made and great peace of mind to have it out there on our dock. There's not always going to be good swimmers near your pool or dock areas, but maybe up to them to possibly save someone's life rather than being helpless or possibly drowning themselves trying to save someone without floatation. I also bought the rope recommended with this product here on Amazon as you might miss on first throw and need to get it back, and you will want to pull the person to dock or edge of pool.Also, if Amazon could please better categorize real life preservers from decorative it would've made my search so much easier. I don't want to decorate my tiki bar, I want to save lives and really made it difficult trying to find a true safety product.

Good price

Will buy again

I live in Tucson AZ where it’s hot hot hot and sunny like hell in the summer. The ring is smaller than I thought it would be but it’s approved by the coast guard. It’s holding up to the sun very well. The price was right, also. I recommend this brand/product and seller.

Upon opening the package, I was really impressed with the initial quality of this piece. It feels tougher and nicer than the rings I looked at in stores. Time will tell how it holds up outside in the elements. I'll probably be ordering another to keep on the boat.

It was as described.

Robustly made product and good-looking mounted on my dock. Took a while coming, but I'm told patience is a virtue.