Kids and life jackets

[jblabsnduck]

Just a reminder that your kids should ALWAYS have there life jackets on while in the boat.

Nice long weekend and a lot of people will be fishing with the kids/family so put them life jackets on and make them keep it on while in the boat.

My 3 year old little one last night went over board while playing around with the tie off rope I have on one cleet.

He was sitting playing with the rope like he always does (his fihing pole when he gets bored) and the next thing I know I see him reach out for the rope and over he went.

Thank god he had his life jacket on and the jacket did its job.

He was floating there like a bobber head up.

I reached over and with one hand yanked him right out of the water by his life jacket. (new life jacket I just bought yesterday. had the cheapies but upgraded to GOOD life jackets for everyone)

Bad part is, he thought it was "cool" and it was 'Fun".

Sure wasn't cool or fun for daddy to see him go over.

The only thing it is going to cost me is a new spider man poll for him since I stepped on it when I went to grab him.

Could have been a LOT more costly in more ways than one if not for that life jacket.

PUT them ON.

Have a fun and SAFE long weekend.

[paceman]

Absolutely my kids always have thier life jackets on. They haven't fallen overboard yet but they could in a second just like your litle guy did.

[BobT]

I was about to add that not only is this a good idea but also the law that children must wear PFD's all the time while on board. I decided to check the boating regulations and it now says children under 10 must wear a PFD at all times while under way. I thought the law was changed a short few years ago to require all children under 12 to wear PFD's at all times. Was it rewritten again or have I been mistaken?

Wait. I reread the law again. For purposes of this requirement, "under way" is defined as "not attached to permanent mooring or tied to a dock." Therefore I was almost correct. All children under the age of 10 must wear a PFD at all times while on board any watercraft that is not tied to a dock or permanent mooring.

Quote:

Mandatory Child Life Jacket Wear Law:

Minnesota law requires a U.S. Coast Guard

approved life jacket to be worn by children

less than 10 years old when aboard any

watercraft while underway. Underway means

not attached to a permanent mooring or tied

to a dock. There are exceptions to the wear

law for:

(1) children who are below the top deck or in an enclosed cabin,

(2) children aboard passenger vessels being operated by a licensed captain,

(3) children on a boat that is anchored for the purpose of swimming or diving.

[ishy]

Great reminder!!!!!!!! When the water temps are still low I even make my 11 and 8 year olds wear them when fishing from the dock by themselves. It's just not worth not wearing them. Thanks agin for the reminder. Glad your lil' fishing buddy is safe.

[SkunkedAgain]

+1

Young kids should wear them when within striking distance of the water (shore/dock/boat)

[pushbutton]

When my sidekick was a little over two we were hanging out on the part of the dock in shallow water, about 1 1/2 ft. He was getting cocky and not listening so i figured i would let him learn for himself. He of course fell in and to my surprise he simply sank to the bottom face up, eyes open, and not moving at all, not even a splash. He would have drowned if i was not there. I was the one who learned the lesson that day. No matter how deep the water is a young child could drown, ever since he always has to have a life jacket on when near the water, even if i am with him. He has, by the way, went overboard twice

[motley man]

Everyone should wear life jacket when boat is underway! Many times have been in boats and a bad wave or turn of boat that left someone on floor or falling off seat. Only takes a second for bad things to happen. Let's all be safe!!!!!! Youngster's should always be watched around water!!!!!!!

[Getanet]

Good reminder. My nephew will be at the cabin a lot this summer, and it's only a matter of when, not if, he'll fall in. He's got way too much energy and way too rambunctious to not take a dip.

Good idea to get kids in swimming lessons at an early age as well. I'm shocked how many adults I know that don't really know how to swim.

[amateurfishing]

1. When my kids first started wearing life jackets, the first time we got them and brought them home, we let them play with them so they can get comforable and not be scared of them. Dont want them throwing a tantrum and not liking it when they need it most. also plan on taking them to beaches this summer for kids to play with/in. I want my kids to be very comfortable with them, enjoy them, and understand they are a good thing. They treat it like a toy that they cant take off.

2. I always wear mine bacause 1) it sets a good example for my kids and 2) they call them accidents for a reason, you never know when u need it and by that time its probably too late. I fish with mine on even when its 90 and humid, especially fishing alone. Yes, it is uncomfortable but i believe its a very small price to pay to the alternative.

[solbes]

Good topic and reminder before a big holiday weekend. Our kids enjoy wearing them as they got to help pick them out.

[bobbymalone]

Everyone should wear life jacket when boat is underway!

[MNice]

jblabsnduck, thanks for being a responsible Dad!! Good job!!

[BobT]

I have to admit that I don't wear mine all the time, especially while fishing. However I will often put it on when I fire up the outboard to move, especially on choppy water.

[solbes]

I have to admit that I don't wear mine all the time, especially while fishing. However I will often put it on when I fire up the outboard to move, especially on choppy water.

I find myself wearing mine more and more. Gotta wear it when the kids are around, when the water's cold (below 60), in bad weather, at night, or when alone. So pretty much most of the time anymore.

I was swam races in high school. You never know what type of situation you might encounter.

[reinhard1]

i also was on the swim teams in high school. still swim very well. however i do wear my life jacket when i'm alone. you never know what can happen. it's pretty easy to trip on something and in you go. when the grandkids are in the boat i wear mine as well as them. good luck.

[osok]

I see where some people advocate EVERYONE wear a PFD. Couldn't agree more. when I'm fishing alone (which ends up being often) I wear mine from the time I step off the dock to the time I step back on, warm water or not. When fishing 2 or more is more weather pendent, but always while underway.

I figure it wouldn't be right preaching to my kids about "water safety" and not practice my sermons, and I KNOW I'm a strong swimmer.

I spent good $$ on quality comfortable PFD's for the entire family, a worth while investment.

[Eelpout08]

It is pretty much a given if kids are around water eventually they will fall in!

[hopeforfish]

The rule at our cabin is that kids under a certin age are not even allowed on the stairs to the dock with out a life jacket. If they are on the dock even with an adult present they must wear their life jacket.