1836, The Perambulator. Visit to the Society for the Illustration and Encouragement of Practical Science., Here is a life-preserver, meant to be thrown into the sea when a sailor falls overboard.
Gilbert and Sullivan Pirates of Penzance|With Cat-Like Tread|34|passage=Here's your crowbar And your centre-bit; Your life-preserver— You may want to hit!
Doyle Adventures of Sherlock Holmes|volume=III|page=525|column=1|passage=But when I gave him every particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster, and took down a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike.
1999, C. R. Gutermuth, The World of Incredible Outdoor Adventures: Hair-raising Hunting & Fishing Experiences from Field & Stream’s Greatest Writers Chapter Adventures Life Hung on an 18-Thread, Swimming frantically, each with one arm, we waited for the boat to turn and rescue us. About five minutes passed. Shorty, on the drifting boat, sixty yards away now, was futilely throwing life-preservers toward us.
2010, M. Walter Levine, How Can I Help You? The Most Important Question in Business and in Life Chapter The Climb, I was so happy to see them! It was like being thrown a life-preserver in the middle of the ocean.
