Infants and children should wear a flotation life vest without fail
each and every time they are near open water.
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, and even children who are
good swimmers should wear a life vest when in a boat, on a dock, or near
rivers, lakes and streams.
Flotation swim suits, inflatable arm bands, inner tubes and inflatable
pool toys are not ever substitutes for a Coast Guard approved life jacket.
The most important thing to look for in a child's life vest is a snug, but
not uncomfortable tight, fit. When trying on a vest, snap or buckle all
closures, including any straps between the child's legs. Have the child
raise his or her arms and lift the child by the shoulders of the vest. The
vest should not ride above the child's chin or ears.
Every Infant and Toddler life vest should have a strap between the legs to
prevent the vest from coming off over the child's head. Every vest for
young children should also have a float collar behind the head to aid in
keeping the child face up in the water. This support collar should have a
sturdy loop on the upper edge which can be used to easily lift the child
from the water if necessary.
Children younger than six months and lighter than 16 pounds are generally
too small to rely on any life jacket, which is unlikely to fit well on
their tiny bodies.
How to Select and Fit a Life Jacket on a Child
Video Transcript:
Hi, I'm Chris Edmundson of the Boat U.S. Foundation. As
a life-long boater it's always given me great pleasure to see kids out
on the water. As an adult, it's our responsibility to make sure that
kids enjoy the water safely. And a good first step to doing that is to
make sure they have on a properly fitted life jacket.
A properly fitting life jacket should not be too small, nor should it be
too big. Here's an example of a life jacket that is too small. You can't
buckle the jacket.
Here's an example of a life jacket that is too big. It rides up over her
head.
This jacket is just right. The buckles snap, and it's not too loose or
too tight.
A properly fitted life jacket is one that is big enough so that all
zippers or buckles can be fastened properly.
Most life jackets will have cinch straps to further customize the fit.
A life jacket should be a bit comfortable, but it still should be pretty
snug. A good test of fit is to gently pick up the child by the life
jacket. If the jacket doesn't come up over or above the child's ears it
is a good fit.
To help with your selection you should consult the label inside each
life jacket. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets should be
considered. Coast Guard approved life jackets come in Infant, Youth,
Child and Adult sizes.
An
Infant Life Jacket is for children under 30 pounds. Since small
children tend to float face down an added layer of flotation material is
added behind the neck of the child to insure proper buoyancy.
An infant life jacket will also have a crotch strap to help prevent the
jacket from riding up over the child's head.
A
Child Size Life Jacket is for children between 30 and 50 pounds. It
will typically have either two or three buckles in the front with
adjustable straps. Once you've adjusted it properly, tuck the ends of
the straps out of the way so they don't get snagged. This is what a
properly fitted child life jacket looks like.
A
Youth Life Jacket is for children who weigh between 50 and 90
pounds. If your child weighs in excess of 90 pounds you will need to
purchase an
adult life jacket. Keep in mind, however, that you should resist the
temptation to purchase an adult life jacket with the thought that your
child will grow into it.
And as a final thought, the best way to insure that a child willingly
wears their life jacket is to set the example by wearing one yourself.
