Orville - your flying school\instructor appear to of been somewhat remiss, I was given a complete set of the leaflets within 3 months. There is some very good advice for the learner in them and they cover a large range of issues.
Re the lifebelts question, the CAA answer is quite correct although they shouldnt be inflatted whilst your enjoying the flight! Trying to put one on correctly whilst your carrying out an emergency ditching is quite a feat as is trying to put one if there is more than 1 person in the plane.