First and foremost, if your child is old enough to understand, then sitting them down and explaining to them why life jackets are so crucial will help them tremendously. Pre-teens/youth are probably the worst when it comes to complaining. But if they can understand the reasoning behind life jackets and know that it’s not just some evil plan devised by their parents to make them miserable all day, it’s easier for them to cope. The bulk of all drownings do not occur out to sea, but in shallow inland waters involving boats under 20-feet long. Unfortunately, most drowning victims had a life jacket on the boat, but never chose to, or were made to, wear it. Make sure you always choose safety first!
Making sure your children are wearing the proper clothing under their life jackets will help them become more comfortable while wearing their jacket. Wear clothes made with material that is light weight and breathes easily, such as cotton. Your child’s jacket should also fit snuggly to their body. A great test to make sure they are fitted properly is to have your child put their life jacket on and then pick them up by the shoulders of the life jacket. If their chin and ears do not slip through the jacket, and the jacket remains snug to their body, then the jacket is properly fitted.
There are many different life jacket options for children, even small infants (though it is not always recommended to take small infants onboard a boat). You’ll want to consider purchasing a life jacket with a ‘heads- up’ collar for infants, smaller children/toddlers, and children who do not know how to swim. These life vests ensure that your child’s face will be turned up and away from the water when they fall in or should they be knocked unconscious. When fitted properly, these life vests should not cause any major discomfort to your child.
Many older children and youth believe that all life jackets are huge and uncomfortable for good reason – they’ve never seen all of the options! Life jackets are now made to be comfortable and easy to wear – there are even some jackets that come in customizable colors, depending on your style. Some life jackets have mesh backs and many are created to breathe easier, all while keeping its user safe. Research your options online or stop by our pro-shop to find the best fit for your child.
Every life jacket has a weight and buoyancy limit, so be careful when choosing which life jacket to buy. You’ll want to invest in life jackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. All children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times unless in a cabin or below deck. Each state varies with the age limit, so be sure to check your individual state for more information.
You’ll want to test every life jacket before sailing off in your boat. Take your child into a shallow area of water and have them lay down to test their jacket. While even a heads-up collar is a wonderful life saver for children, it may not guarantee that your child’s face will be turned away from the water if they are frantically swinging their arms and legs around in panic. Be sure to teach your child the proper things to do should they fall into the water, by keeping their bodies (especially their arms and legs) still and relaxed. Explain to them that life jackets are used to help us in these situations, and the only thing they need to do is stay still and calm so that they can be quickly retrieved.
Once everyone on board is equipped with their properly fitted and pre-tested life jackets, it’s time to head onto the water. It’s a win-win situation – save a life by taking the necessary precautions ahead of time, and have a relaxing day with a very happy ending. They’ll have nothing to complain about, except for the fact that no one wants the day to end.
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