Children's Boating Personal Floatation Devices

What to Look for in Children's Life Jackets

Jun 13, 2009

In many areas, children 13 and younger must wear a life jacket while boating. Learn what features parents should look for in children's personal floatation devices (PFD).

Boating safety statistics underscore the importance of life jackets. Simply put, when boaters wear personal floatation devices (PFD) while enjoying the water, they are far more likely to survive an accident than those who have their life vests stashed aboard the boat. In light of that, the United States Coast Guard passed a rule in 2002 stating that all children on board a recreational boat must be wearing a certified PFD unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

Know the Laws of the Waters

The first step is to double check the laws of the state or province where the boating. Not only do PFD requirements vary from country to country, but also from state to state or province to province. In order to be sure the PFD is legal, parents must know the PFD laws of the water in that area.

Select Life Jackets Based on Weight

The second step is to weigh the child. Children's PFDs are sized solely by weight, not by chest width. It is also imperative that children wear the life jacket that fits them precisely. To purchase a PFD with the thought that the child "will grow into it," is absolutely not advised.

Sizing can differ depending on the manufacturer, but examples of sizing commonly available are as follows.

Comfort Helps Assure the Child Will Wear It

Once the child's size is determined, he needs to be able to choose a PFD that fits him comfortably. As stated above, children must wear their life jackets when out on the water. If a PFD is chosen that he finds irritating, it will likely be a rather unpleasant adventure for everyone. Fortunately, modern PFDs often feature a trim design to help conquer that issue. Parents may want to consider life jackets made from Neoprene rather than nylon as it does tend to increase comfort, as well as resist fading.

Testing the Fit of the PFD

Once the choices have been narrowed down, parents should double check that the PFD fits snugly. After the child has put the jacket on, an adult should pick him up by the shoulders of the vest. If the jacket slips up, and the child's chin or ears slip down through the neck opening, the PFD is too big and not a proper fit for the child.

Other Safety Features for Which to Look

When it comes to kids' floatation devices, there are a few other features that may appeal to parents as well. For infants and young children, vests that are equipped with a padded head support help keep their heads above water. Another exceptionally, "handy" feature are PFDs that have a handle on them to make it easier to lift children out of the water or to hold on to while floating in open waters. Lastly, floatation devices that have a crotch strap help keep the PFD in place and functioning properly.

When taking children out for a boating excursion, parents need to be sure that they are following the laws of the local water and selected a comfortable PFD that is properly fitted to the child. When safety is thoughtfully considered, everyone can relax and enjoy a fun-filled day boating on the water.

The copyright of the article Children's Boating Personal Floatation Devices in Kids' Safety Products is owned by Jennifer White. Permission to republish Children's Boating Personal Floatation Devices in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.