Life Jacket Youth and Adult Size Inventory for Boat Guests and Crew

Make sure your boat is equipped with a variety of life jacket sizes for your crew and guests - including youth and adult life jackets by size or weight

Update your boat life jacket inventory to include sizes for
youth life jackets and adult life jackets so guests do not
have to wear uncomfortable and bulky orange vests.

The beginning of each new boating season is a perfect time to re-assess your boat's current life jacket inventory to make sure you have an adequate supply of life jackets for all size needs.

Sure everyone has a stash of those cheap, bulky and uncomfortable orange life jackets for emergencies - but do your boat guests really want to wear them for everyday use?

It is really easy to create an inventory of life jackets that cover all the different weight groups for kids and adults. And with so many inexpensive options to choose from, you can have a bunch of extra life jackets on board that will fit a variety of guests without breaking the bank.

Read more »

Maryland Kids Life Jacket Laws Boating

MD Regulations for kids wearing a life jacket – age and life jacket type requirements for kids on boats

Life jacket laws in Maryland for infants, toddlers and kids while boating has gotten stricter in recent years to protect children on Maryland’s many waterways.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has developed specific state laws for kids wearing life vests while boating. Although there are federal life vest requirements, they do not supersede state laws. Not following MD life jacket age and type (i.e. U.S. Coast Guard approved) requirements could lead to fines (penalties for the first offense are $500) and risk children’s safety while boating.

According to the state of Maryland, the state averages 12 boating fatalities a year. In 2009 there were 17 boating related deaths and 16 of the victims were not wearing life jackets or vests.

Here are the specific life jacket regulations and laws for kids boating in Maryland.

Read more »

Toddler Life Jackets Best for Boating and Water Safety

Choose the best Coast Guard approved toddler life jackets to keep young kids safe near the water or on a boat

Toddler life jackets should be worn
while boating or on the water.

Hands down, the best way to keep toddlers and young kids safe on the water is to always use a life jacket. Hopefully parents have already started reinforcing water safety at an early age by using an infant life jacket for their baby, but its even more important as a toddler gains independence.

All too often I see toddlers walking down a boat dock with no life jacket. It is scary to see because a busy toddler could easily wander off the edge of a dock, or lean over the edge of a boat unexpectedly. Although some toddlers may already be learning basic swimming moves, they are unlikely to be able to keep their head above the water if they fall into deep water. Its an even scarier thought with murky river or bay water.

Toddler life jackets should be worn as a precaution anytime a toddler is near water or on a boat to ensure safety and piece of mind.

Read more »

Sterns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jackets Review

Toddlers and kids learn to swim faster with Coast Guard approved Puddle Jumper Life Jackets

The Sterns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket

is Coast Guard approved and gives

kids the confidence to quickly learn

how to swim.

Our almost three year old daughter is practically doing laps in the pool this summer thanks to her Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jacket. It is one of the best ways for young kids and toddlers to quickly learn how to swim.

The puddle jumper design combines the security of "floaties" or "swimmie" arms with a floatation pad that goes across the chest and attaches to the floatation arms. They are fastened in the back with a secure clasp.

Because Puddle Jumper Jackets are Coast Guard approved, they are great for young kids learning to swim in the pool, on the lake, in the river or out on a boat.

Read more »

Infant Life Vests and Jackets for Boating

Selecting a Safety Life Jacket or PFD for Infants on a Boat

Infant Life Jackets or Vests

Keeping a young baby or infant safe on a boat or around water should be a number one priority for boaters. Although life jackets are necessary for young kids too, they are especially important for an infant or baby that has no swimming skills at all.

The important thing about selecting an infant life jacket or safety vest is that it fits the child correctly for their size. And there are many Coast Guard approved infant life jackets to choose from that are appropriately sized for the latest addition to your crew.

Choosing Coast Guard Approved Infant Life Jackets

According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety, infants should not "travel on a boat" until they weigh at least 15 pounds and they should always wear a personal floatation device (PFD). But a baby can be on a boat at any age you feel comfortable boating with a baby. Just be sure that a baby wears a proper infant life jacket when on or near the water: boating, canoeing, rafting or any water sport activity.

An infant life vest or jacket should fit properly and qualify as a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for boating safety. Youth life jackets come in size ranges noted as: “less than 30 lbs”, “30-50 lbs”, “less than 50 lbs” and “50-90 lbs”. Infant life jackets are typically marked as “infant” with a weight of less than 30 lbs or 15-30 lbs and listed as a Type II life jacket.

If you boat in Canada, U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets have a higher safety standard than the Canadian Coast Guard so you are safe to buy a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for use in Canada.

Features in Infant Life Jackets for a Baby

Infant life jackets are intended to fit snugly like a vest. They should feature a built-in “heads up” cushion (to keep an infant's head afloat in the water) and a loop handle on top of the head cushion (to easily pull a baby out of the water). Another important safety feature is a leg strap that wraps through the crotch and legs and then buckles onto the vest. This safety strap keeps the vest from sliding up and off of the infant when floating in the water and is actually a requirement for young kids and toddler life jackets.

Most infant life jackets are vinyl, although you can find some in the new neoprene material. The new neoprene fabric styles are softer and may feel more comfortable, but they can be very snug to put on an infant and cost much more. Vinyl styles will dry quickly and typically have a less bulky fit for infants.

Read more »

Boating with a Baby or Infant

Is it safe to take an infant on a boat?

Some people are very nervous about taking a baby on a boat. For active boaters (myself included), having an infant baby should not stop you from boating.

In fact, it is almost easier to boat with a baby then it is to boat with young toddlers that are climbing and running around. And if you have a boat that you sleep on, there is nothing better than the gentle rocking of a boat to help a baby sleep.

With proper safety precautions, there is no reason why you can’t continue boating with a baby.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety states that an infant should not travel on a boat until they weigh at least 18 pounds and can wear a personal floatation device (PFD).

Most babies hit that weight between 4 and 11 months old. However, I have found several infant life jackets that fit very well – intended for under 30 lbs. An infant PFD has a built in “heads up” cushion with a loop handle at the top, along with a strap that goes between the legs (to keep the jacket from sliding up). Infant life jackets are intended to fit snug and do a great job of raising the infant's head out of the water. To feel extra safe about how they work, you can practice holding the baby in a pool while wearing the infant life jacket...

Read more »