“Float First:”: Trapped air between clothing layers significantly improves buoyancy on water after immersion

Approximately 450,000 people drown annually worldwide. The capacity of immersed adults and children to float in clothing is less well understood, but it is possible that air trapped between clothing layers increases buoyancy. Study 1 (n = 24) quantified this buoyancy and the consequence of any buoyancy by measurement of airway freeboard (mouth to water level distance). Study 2 examined the capability of children (n = 29) to float with freeboard used as the outcome measure and is expressed as a percentage of occasions that freeboard was achieved. Buoyancy (Newtons; N) was provided for winter clothing as 105 [± 12], Autumn/Spring 87 [± 13], Summer 68 [±11]N. Average freeboard was 63 (± 2) % for winter clothing, 62 (± 2) % for autumn/spring clothing, 66[±2] % for summer clothing, and 15[± 1] % for the control condition. Children were more buoyant, 95 [±17] % freeboard), irrespective of gender, than adults. “Float first” is advocated as a primary survival mechanism.