How to Use Your Tactical Pants as a Life Preserver

No Life Raft on Hand? Stay Afloat With This Tactical Pant Trick

You may not think that finding yourself in frigid waters without a life preserver is a likely outcome. However, tactical missions can put you in plenty of unexpected emergency situations – and you might not always have the equipment you need to save yourself.

Though it’s always important to have a life preserver handy when on the water, you never know what can happen – things can get out of hand, nature can turn the tide on you, or your life preserver can break or disappear.

A clever tactical professional knows that they can turn their pants into a life preserver. You read that correctly – in fact, the Navy Seals have actually developed effective DIY solution to cases in which no life preserver is available.

Read below to learn how your tactical pants can get you out of situations that involve the risk of drowning.

What are Tactical Pants?

Not every pair of pants can be called ‘tactical pants’ – in other words, only some pairs are suitable for tactical missions. Pros wear tactical pants because they’re delicately designed for expeditions and missions.

Typically, you can expect these features from tactical pants:

Made from materials that are light-weight and flexible
Equipped with straps and pockets for materials that need to be carried
Durable, strong design
Thick fabric to prevent injuries and tears

The Benefits of Tactical Pants

If you’re taking part in any physically-challenging activity, tactical pants might be vital to your success. By choosing the right pair of pants, you’ll be able to run, bend, stretch, crouch, and crawl without being weighed down.

Tactical pants are a no-brainer – from prioritizing motion and comfort to protecting you from injuries, they’ll make you a better and faster professional.

Can Tactical Pants Actually Be Used as a Life Preserver?

Yes! Turning tactical pants into a life preserver is a surprisingly common tactic for emergency procedures on the water.

This might not be an easy feat for those who have never done it before. That’s why it’s important to practice. After all, you won’t be able to turn your pants into a life preserver just by guessing in the moment.

How Does It Work?

Think of how a life preserving device works. They’re usually made from thin fabrics or materials that tightly trap in enough air to stay afloat.

Now, think of a pair of pants. Is there a way to change the shape of your pants to trap air inside the three holes – two leg holes and one at the waist?

As it turns out, there is. Learn how to do this below.

How to Turn Your Pants into a Life Preserver

If you find yourself in a situation where you desperately need a life preserver, use your tactical pants and take these steps:

Step One: Remove The Tactical Pants

You can do this while treading water or while out of the water. Take off your pants and tie a knot between the two legs’ holes at the end. There should be air trapped within the not – this is important for the next steps to be successful.

Step Two: ‘Inflate’ Your Life Preserver

There should still be an opening in the waist area of the pants – throw this over your shoulder, and raise the open waist over your head to collect air. Then, put it in the water – the air should be trapped in your new device. Keep trying until you get air trapped.

Step Three: Get in Your Life Preserver

Start by putting your head through the pant legs, which are now inflated. Then hold the waist closed underneath the surface of the water. If every step has been taken correctly, you should be able to float while you wait for help or take whatever step you feel should come next.

Conclusion

You can’t prepare for every type of emergency; in some cases, you have to take whatever opportunity that presents itself, and use your problem-solving skills to the best of your abilities.

Facing the risk of drowning or sinking is undeniably terrifying. Using tactical pants as a life preserver won’t always be the most convenient option, but when emergency calls, you have to do what you have to do.

We recommend learning emergency strategies for dire situations, like the one we’ve included in this article. Having a knowledge of these strategies can make you a better tactical professional – and it might even save your life.

At PSP Corp, we have tactical gear for every situation. Our collection of tactical clothing includes pants and plenty of other gear that will equip you for success on your tactical missions.