Boat U.S. - January 2008 - (Page 54) goodfoundations ideas for safe, smart, and clean boating Fit To Be Saved Getting a child to happily wear a life jacket presents its own unique issues, especially dealing with the yearly growth spurts that can quickly make a jacket that was good last year too small this year. U.S. Coast Guard-approved children’s life jackets come in three different sizes. Infant jackets are designed for children under 30 pounds. ‘Child’ sized jackets fit children 30 to 50 pounds and ‘Youth’ sized jackets fit children who weigh between 50 and 90 pounds. Children who weigh more than 90 pounds generally will fit in adult sized life jackets, and it is critically important to have the right size for the child. tially ride up and slip off children more easily if they are not snug and properly buckled. That’s why on many children’s jackets you will see a crotch strap that goes between the legs and attaches the front of the jacket to the back of the jacket. The proper use of a crotch strap will help prevent the life jacket from coming off the child, especially if they should fall in the water. When thinking of purchasing a jacket for a child, here are six simple steps that you can take to ensure getting the right jacket. 1. Weigh your child and measure their chest so you have an idea of what size jacket with which to start your search. Judging by the shoulders, this life jacket is too big. Most experienced boaters know that wearing a life jacket is one of the key factors in preventing a fatality in a fall overboard. In over 80% of boating fatalities, the victim is not wearing a life jacket. But how does one know which life jacket to choose? There are literally dozens of models out there from which to pick, and there are many factors that go into the decision — from price and style to boating application and fit. The bottom line is that the best life jacket to buy is the one that your child will wear through most any boating situation. When fitting a child for a life jacket, it’s important to remember that children float differently than adults — they have a greater percentage of their weight in their heads than adults, which results in the tendency for children to float face-down. That’s why you see the foam collars built in to many children’s jackets — it redistributes the buoyancy of the jacket towards the child’s head, which helps keep their face out of the water. Children’s bodies also tend to be straighter and less angular than adults’ bodies, which means that jackets can poten54 BoatU.S. Magazine January 2008 Kids love cartoon-themed life jackets. 6. For smaller children, you should also look for additional straps on a life jacket — one on the collar to aid in pulling the child out of the water, and a crotch strap. These two simple features will make pulling a frightened or thrashing child out of the water much easier, and also help ensure that the jacket can’t float up and off the child. It’s important also to never purchase a jacket that is a little big, thinking that the child will grow into it. Finally, the best way to ensure that a child willingly wears a jacket is to set the example by wearing one yourself. — By Chris Edmonston 2. Take your kids with you and let them pick out jackets that they like. There are lots of colors and styles that are designed to appeal to younger boaters, many with popular cartoon characters on them. 3. Let the kids try jackets on to find one they are truly comfortable wearing. Kids’ Life Jacket Loaner Program & Fundraiser 1. BoatU.S. Foundation operates a Kids’ Life Jacket Loaner Program at over 300 sites around the country. When you have a child guest and no life jacket, these are available for free dayuse. Go to BoatUS. com/Foundation/LJLP/index.htm to find a site near you. To raise funds to buy more jackets for this life-saving project, the Foundation is launching an online fundraiser this spring. If we have your e-mail address, we will be sending you a request for support for this unique national program. Your donation is greatly needed to help us buy more life jackets so no child is without a propersized life jacket. To send us your email, go to: Membership@BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628. 5. 4. When you have put the jacket on the child, ensure that there is not a lot of space between the jacket and child’s body — it should have a snug fit. 5. Have the child lift her arms straight up. Her chin should not be able to touch the jacket when looking side to side; or simply pick the child up by the life jacket. If the jacket fits, it won’t come over her chin or ears. The BoatU.S. Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization primarily supported by donations from individuals and grants. Please visit BoatUS.com/Foundation for more information. http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/ljlp/index.htm http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/ljlp/index.htm http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation
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