A mysterious woman jumped into a river recently, but she was rescued after floating for over 20 minutes due to the buoyancy of her down jacket. How could such a lightweight garment provide so much support? Experts explain that down jackets have unique properties that make them act like temporary life jackets in emergencies.
According to reports, the incident occurred on January 10th when Ms. Li, a citizen from Yanshi, was at a KTV with friends. After an emotional episode, she left the club around 2 a.m. and, while crossing a bridge over a river, suddenly jumped into the water unnoticed by her companions. Local police and firefighters arrived quickly and used a river management vessel to rescue her. After more than 20 minutes in the water, she was pulled ashore and found to be in stable condition.
Police confirmed that the down jacket she was wearing played a crucial role in keeping her afloat. "The jacket’s buoyancy prevented her from sinking, which likely saved her life," they said.
So, what makes a down jacket float? Experts explain that it's not just the fabric, but also the down inside. Most down jackets are made from synthetic materials that resist water penetration. This means the outer shell doesn’t absorb much water immediately, helping the jacket maintain its air pockets.
Moreover, down itself is naturally hydrophobic. When dry, it's light and fluffy, trapping a lot of air. Even when slightly wet, the down expands, increasing the volume of the jacket and reducing its overall density. This makes the jacket float until the down becomes fully saturated, at which point it will eventually sink.
However, not all down jackets are equally buoyant. The level of waterproofing depends on the fabric and construction. Some jackets may only resist light rain, while others are designed for heavy exposure. But even the best ones will eventually sink if left in water for too long.
In this case, the down jacket provided critical time for rescue, proving that sometimes even a simple piece of clothing can make a big difference in a life-threatening situation.
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