Are Your Family Members Using The Safest Life Jackets?
I openly admit that I’m not a swimmer and I’m not comfortable in the water, but as a mom that means I take water safety very seriously. While I was doing research for last week’s blog about Water Safety, I found that there is way more to information about life jackets than I thought and I wanted to include that in my water safety series because there may be others out there in need of this information too. Every age, size, weight, level of swimmer and activity has a recommended life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device). I didn’t realize there were so many styles and levels to water safety, but it makes sense as open water in the ocean as different from lakes and freshwater as both are different from residential or commercial pools.
BOATING AND FISHING LIFEJACKETS
As for selecting lifejackets for calm fresh water or ocean water, begin by verifying and ensuring the following:
It is the appropriate type for your boating location and activity;
It is the right size and has enough buoyancy to support you in the water;
It is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
I found these tips helpful along with this article from the boaterexam website about the 5 types of flotation devices used in calm freshwater and ocean activities and rescues. It is important to note that some flotation devices are not meant to be worn, but only used for rescue situations and some may be awkward and heavy, but can be used in any water situation.
SPECIAL CARE WITH CHILDREN’S WATER SAFETY DEVICES
““If it inflates, it can deflate,””
This statement really sums up something I think that I’ve always known, but that I couldn’t put into words. For some reason, let’s call it - intuition - I always wanted something more sturdy for our little swimmer.
Many parents use the water wings for their children; I was never comfortable with these or other inflatable devices. Thankfully a friend, who is a seasoned momma, showed me something in more of a puddle-jumper style for the pool. Here is a link for an example.* When I was researching to find examples, I found the also have some with an undercarriage strap* too.
While these devices are great for saving lives, there is some discussion about how this prevents them from learning to swim in the proper format (face in the water, floating bottom and kicking). Here is what I have learned from our swim coaches over the years. Little arms are not as strong as little legs, all of our swim coaches have focused on kicking first and flotation devices allow free movement of the legs. As age, size and muscle build little ones can work on proper format. That said, we don’t use a pool or flotation device more than a few times a year. If we had had a pool at our house that was easily accessible, I would have insisted on baby swim classes. Even young babies (under a year) can float and do a turn, kick, reach to the wall. It is best to find a swim instructor in your area that is well versed in teaching little ones, but it can be done.
I really appreciate THE BOTTOM LINE of the parents.com article it brings home the point that lifejackets can’t help if you don’t wear them. Taking the time to select, purchase and put on the proper life jacket is always worth the time and effort. As the saddest fact is this:
““The majority of drownings occur in calm, inland waters. Most of those who drowned were within a few feet of safety and had easy access to a life jacket but were not wearing one.” ”
At some point all children say, “I’m done with floaties.” But how do I know when they really should be done with them?
Originally, I has started to answer this question here, but it got a little to long for a quick read, so I’ve added another section to our water safety. With summer starting and so much water here in Florida, this is the perfect time to dive into this subject. Make sure to check back next week for:
11 Pool Rules for Independent Swimmers
MORE RESOURCES:
Do You know the symptoms of dry drowning?
10 Must Know Pool Safety Tips for Parents
*I’m using these links as examples of what I’m discussing. I’m not recommending these specific items as these aren’t the brand I used (I have no idea what it is now. lol.) So make sure to pick the one that is comfortable for your little one and is the right fit for your activity.
