Jabot: Life Jacket Made from Plastic Bottles, an Innovation by IPB University Students
In an effort to provide a safety solution while preserving the environment, a group of students from the Department of Fisheries Resource Utilization at IPB University conducted a community service program in Cikahuripan Village, Sukabumi.
This program successfully created an innovative life jacket made from used plastic bottles. The product, named “Jabot” (Bottle Jacket), promotes an environmentally friendly concept by utilizing plastic bottles and foam/sponge as the main materials to help the wearer stay afloat in water.
Juan Febrian Panggabean, one of the students involved, said that Jabot not only aims to save lives but also serves as a concrete step in reducing the growing amount of plastic waste.
“With production costs lower than conventional life jackets, this innovation is expected to become an affordable alternative for the public, especially in flood-prone areas, coastal regions, and areas frequently hit by water-related disasters,” he explained.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, Jabot also has educational and economic value. Juan emphasized that anyone can make it easily, so that in addition to raising public awareness of environmental issues, Jabot also has the potential to create recycling-based business opportunities.
At the front, there is an arrangement of plastic bottles positioned evenly across the chest and stomach, providing balanced buoyancy when used in water. The front design is also simple with straps that make it easy for users to put on or take off the jacket quickly.
Meanwhile, at the back, the plastic bottles are arranged more densely on the back to provide additional buoyancy and keep the body stable in the water. The back is also equipped with a mesh reinforcement to keep the bottles sturdy and prevent them from shifting, while also providing air circulation to make users feel more comfortable.
“Using this life jacket is simple. The user only needs to choose the appropriate size, put it on and tighten the straps, make sure the jacket is not loose, and perform a buoyancy test to ensure it is functioning properly,” explained Juan.
Jabot is recommended for use in various emergency situations, such as during major floods, on boats or other water transportation, during disaster evacuation drills, and in areas prone to tsunamis. “This innovation is excellent and beneficial for the community, especially fishermen,” said the Chief of Cikahuripan Village.
More than just a safety device, Jabot serves as part of disaster mitigation efforts and a tangible example of young people’s creativity in providing environmental solutions. This innovation demonstrates that simple ideas using recycled materials can yield significant benefits for safety and sustainable living. (*/Rz) (IAAS/NRA)
