Life Jackets: Sizing, Testing and Requirements for Children

Life Jackets: Laws for Children

The laws regarding children wearing biography jackets vary by department of state. however, federal police requires any child 12 years of age or younger to wear a Coast Guard- approved Type I, Type II or Type III life jacket while they ’ re afoot on any kind of gravy boat. The alone meter a child is not required to wear a life jacket is when the gravy boat is not afoot ( i.e. when it ’ south anchored or moored ) or if the child is inside the gravy boat ’ mho enclosed cabin. however, the life jacket must silent be readily accessible at all times .

Children tend to panic in emergency situations and they could easily drown if struggling in the body of water without a life crown to keep them afloat and face-up. Make certain you show kids how to properly secure their liveliness jackets and recommend that they wear them at all times when they ’ re on a boat or near the water .

A child’s life jacket should have the following features:

• A label indicating that it’s been Coast Guard-approved.
• An extra-large collar to support the child’s head.
• A safety strap between the legs to prevent the jacket from slipping up over the child’s head.
• A grab strap located on the collar.
• Reflective material.

Children’s Life Jacket Sizing

Tips for buying a child’s life jacket:

• Always check the sizing while in the store.
• While the child is wearing the life jacket, pull it up at their shoulders—if the vest touches the child’s ears, it’s too big for them.
• Make sure the child is comfortable in the vest—or they won’t want to wear it!
• Never buy a size larger than you need hoping the child will ‘grow into it’.

To match a child ’ sulfur weight to the right life jacket, check the ‘ User Weight ’ on the label or the approval statement that will identify the weight class of the vest .

The weight categories for children’s life jackets are:

• Less than 30 lbs.
• 30 to 50 lbs.
• 50 to 90 lbs.

Safe Boating Tip:
inflatable toys should never be used in place of life jackets. additionally, be certain to tuck in any unaffixed biography jacket straps to prevent the child ’ s vest from getting tangled on the boat, dock or catch on an submerged object .

Testing Your Life Jackets

Life jackets should be tested for irrepressibility at the start of each season and regularly throughout the season. flush if they are new !
Children ’ second life jackets should besides be tested to ensure proper equip and buoyancy. Have your child follow the same operation in a control environment under parental supervision .

How to Test Your Life Jackets:

Step 1) Put on and properly fasten the life jacket .
Step 2) Wade into chest-deep water.

Step 3) Bend your knees and float onto your back .
Step 4) Ensure the liveliness jacket keeps your chin above the water and allows you to breathe comfortably .
Step 5) Stand up and reach above your head—if the vest hits your nozzle, it may be besides adult .

Adjusting Your Life Jackets
To be a perfect fit, life jackets should have a moment of board to allow water under the front of the vest. This means that you should choose a vest that you will be comfortable in while moving your arms. You should besides have the space you need to take a deeply breath. All zippers, fasteners, buckles and straps should be adjusted to ensure a proper fit .

The Risks of Not Wearing a Flotation Device

There is a frighten fact that every boatman should know : 9/10 drowning deaths occur stopping point to shore and most within entirely a few feet of guard. closely all of these victims had life jackets in their boat, but they weren ’ thymine wearing them at the fourth dimension of their hand brake .

You should always be wearing your life sentence jacket—however, at MINIMUM, you should be wearing your life jacket during any of the follow conditions :

• When approaching stormy weather.
• When operating near local hazards (i.e. rocks, dams or sea creatures).
• When operating at night or during limited visibility.
• When operating in heavy boat traffic zones.
• When you’re boating alone.
• When you’re boating far from shore.

Keep in mind that the weather and water conditions can change quickly. The best manner to prepare for a boat emergency is to wear your life jacket at all times while you ’ re on control panel a boat .

How to Put on a Wearable Flotation Device in the Water

This procedure is more difficult than it may seem ! Practice in a monitor area :
Step 1) Spread the flotation device open with the at heart facing up and out of the body of water and the neck facing toward you.

Step 2) Extend your arms through the branch openings .
Step 3) Lift your arms above your head, lie backwards and then pull the life jacket around your amphetamine body .
Step 4 ) Fasten the zippers, straps, buckles and/or ties to ensure a close burst .

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