LIFE JACKETS AND LIFE PRESERVERS

If your family enjoys boating, sailing, canoeing, and using personal watercraft on lakes, rivers, and streams, be sure your children wear the correct life jackets. If you do, they will be able to take part in these activities more safely.

Many children and adolescents think life jackets and life preservers are hot, bulky, and ugly. This is no longer necessarily true. Newer models look better, feel better, and provide increased protection.

Life preservers and life jackets are required by many states and must be present on all boats traveling on bodies of water supervised by the US Coast Guard.

Parents should choose from the following personal flotation devices (PFDS) approved by the US Coast Guard. Child PFD approvals are based on the child's weight. Check the user weight on the label.

LIFE JACKETS

TYPE 1: This jacket floats the best. It is designed to turn most people who are unconscious in the water from the face-down position to an upright and slightly backward position. This jacket helps the person to stay in that position for a long time. It is to be used in open water and oceans. It is available in only 2 sizes: 1 size for adults more than 90 pounds and 1 size for children less than 90 pounds.

TYPE 2: This jacket can turn a person upright and slightly backward but not as much as the Type 1 jacket. It may not always help an unconscious person to float face up. It is comfortable and comes in many sizes for children. TYPE 3: This jacket is designed for conscious users in calm, inland water. It is very comfortable and comes in many styles. This life jacket is often used for water sports and should be used only when it is expected that the rescue can be done quickly.

LIFE PRESERVERS

TYPE 4: A life preserver is a cushion or ring and is not worn. It is designed to be used in 2 ways. It can be grasped and held until the person is rescued, or it can be thrown to someone in the water until he or she is rescued. It is not a toy and should only be used in a rescue situation. Check the label on the life preserver to be sure it meets US Coast Guard or state regulations. Use only life jackets and life preservers that are tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and approved by the US Coast Guard. If they are, they will have a label that says so. Life jackets and life preservers are labeled by type (1, 2, 3, or 4) and for whom they are designed (child or adult). Remember, unless your children wear or use life jackets and life preservers, they are not protected. Also, life jackets and life preservers should never be substitutes for adult supervision.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THESE TIPS

- Your children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water.

- Teach your child how to put on his or her own life jacket. - Make sure you child is comfortable wearing a life jacket and knows how to use it. - Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child. - The jacket should not be loose. It should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.

- Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts, and air mattresses should never be used as life jackets or life preservers. They are not safe.

- Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection and to set a good example. Source TIPP: The Injury Prevention Program (American Academy of Pediatrics