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Lifejackets Float You Don't, Wear It - We Do!

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Federal Law requires that all watercraft carry a minimum of one approved Type I, II, III, or V Lifejacket in good serviceable condition for every person on board or being towed by a vessel.  Vessels over 16 feet must also carry at least one Type IV Throwable Device.

Lifejackets are number one on the USCG Safety Equipment List.  Wearing a Lifejacket could have saved four out of five lives lost in boating accidents.  So "Boat Smart from the Start" and have everyone wear a Lifejacket when underway (store extras in cockpit area so they can float free if the boat should unexpectedly capsize or sink). 

Maryland Law requires:

Children under 4 or 50 lbs to wear a Lifejacket with:

1. STRAP that is secured between the legs

2. INFLATABLE HEADREST or HIGH COLLAR

3. WEB HANDLE

Children under 13 to wear a Lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD) while aboard a vessel under 21 ft. that is underway unless they below deck or in an enclosed cabin. 

See "Boating in Maryland" for additional information and resources

Set a good example by always wearing your Lifejacket, encouraging others to wear a Lifejacket and getting children into the habit of wearing their Lifejacket at an early age, your life as well as your loved ones lives could depend on it! 

Don't have a proper Lifejacket, get one from the free lifejacket loaner program

When was the last time your vessel's safety gear was checked?  As the owner or operator of a watercraft, you should regularly review your safety gear condition, requirements, and needs:

1. Are Inflatable Lifejacket being appropriately serviced and maintained?

2. Has a Lifejacket been crushed (used as a fender or cushion) or ripped making it ineffective?

3. Is the watercraft being used differently or have on-the-water activities changed?

4. Has the family grown in number and/or physical size?

5. Does a family dog or cat come along?

6. Are family members inviting relatives or friends to come along?

7. Has a Lifejacket been lost, thrown away or damaged by mildew or solvents?

8. Are Lifejackets stored in a place that may not be easily accessible during an emergency?

Coast Guard approved Lifejackets meet specified design, construction and testing standards. The USCG Seal of Approval allow you to focus efforts on finding devices that:

• will be worn (individual views as cool or likes the look) 

• are comfortable & fit properly (check and select proper size) 

• match type of activity & expected operating conditions (location/weather)

• will keep individual afloat & protected until help can arrive, if needed!

NEVER make any kind of alterations to a Lifejacket

Types of Lifejacket's Currently Approved by US Coast Guard

Select Type of Lifejacket based on activities, operating environment & boating location:

• Type I  -  best for boating in severe conditions where rescue may be delayed

• Type II  -  good for calm, inland water where there is a good chance of fast rescue. Smaller sizes may have high collars to help keep a child’s face out of the water.

• Type III  -  good for calm water where a good chance of fast rescue exists (more comfortable and offers better freedom of movement then Type II).  Comes in a variety of styles and sizes.

• Type IV  -  throwable device (should not be used by children as swim aid).

• Type V  -  special purpose devices that come in a wide range of designs and styles such as inflatable suspenders, float coats, survival suites, fishing vests, work vests, etc.

For instance:

• For offshore, buy Type I's (only lifejacket that will turn unconscious people face up in rough water).

• If weather conditions require wearing a jacket, consider using a Type V "Float Coat." 

• Into sailboating, try Type III or V Inflatable Suspenders. 

• A Type III (High Impact) Flotation Aid is best for water-skiing, PWC's or just having fun in the water.

• If you are working or fishing, a Work or Fishing Vests is probably best.

U.S. Coast Guard Seal of Approval Minimum Buoyancies Requirements

Drowning is often silent, takes as little as five minutes and frequently occurs with an adult nearby.  Follow these Lifejacket use guidelines to help reduce the chance of an accidental drowning:

1. Children birth to 5:  on beaches, docks, boats and water toys

2. Children 6 to 12:   on docks, river banks, PWC's, water skis, water boards, boats, inner tubes and other water toys

3. Teens and young adults:   on PWC's, water skis, water boards, boats, inner tubes and other water toys

Infants & young children Lifejacket's should:

1. Have a Coast Guard seal of approval on the label

2. Keep them face-up when in the water and provide head support

3. Have a web handle above their head to assist with retrieving them out of the water

4. Have strap that goes between legs to prevent vest from accidentally coming off

5. See Maryland Law

Regularly check a child's Lifejacket for:

1. Proper fit.  Check weight and size on label and then have them try it on.  Pick up small children by Lifejacket shoulders.  If it is proper size, child’s chin and ears should not slip through the vest.

   

2. Comfort and appearance.  This is especially important for teens, who are less likely to tolerate an uncomfortable or clunky looking Lifejacket.

If a proper size or type of Lifejacket is not available, get one through the free lifejacket loaner program.  If you regularly go out on the water, purchase appropriate Lifejackets and get your children into the habit of wearing them!  Their life could depend on it. 

Make sure you:

1. Never use toys like plastic rings or water wings in place of a Lifejacket.

2. Never make any type of alterations or modifications to a Lifejacket.

3. Have children practice wearing their Lifejacket in shallow water so they become comfortable with it.  This will help prevent panic and thrashing about in a real emergency which could put their life in danger. 

Lifejacket, Life-vest, PFD or Floatation Aid
no matter what you call it, the most important fact to remember is
It Won't Work If You Don't Wear it!

Semper Paratus (Always Ready) Safety Tips

• Lifejackets DO NOT take the place of or reduce the need for proper adult supervision.

• A fun and worthwhile activity is have everyone tryout their Lifejacket in shallow water.  This will help them become familiar with how it feels and works.

• Set a good example by wearing a Lifejacket and reminding others around you to wear them as well! 

• Buy Lifejackets as gifts for friends and loved ones:

  1. Give a Type V infant Lifejacket as a baby shower gift to families who enjoy boating!

  2. Give a Type V Inflatable Lifejacket designed for the type of activities boating enthusiasts in your life enjoy most.  It makes a wonderful and loving gift, especially if it means they will WEAR IT!

Let's Talk Lifejackets includes a virtual fashion show of a variety of Lifejacket's available and can help identify attractive and practical devices that can be worn during different boating activities.

Type V special purpose Lifejackets are now available from many manufacturers including Stearns, Inc, Mustang Survival, and SoSpenders.

Lifejackets Won't Work If You Don't Wear Them, So Always
Boat Smart From The Start
Your life or the life of someone you love may depend on it!

Lifejackets are Survival Equipment - Treat Them With Respect!

For a Lifejacket to work and do its job, it must remain in good serviceable condition which can be accomplished by:

1. Thoroughly air-drying Lifejackets before stowing or putting them away

2. Never crushing or placing heavy weight on them such as using a Lifejacket as a fender or standing/sitting on it

3. Avoiding contact with oil, grease, or other solvents which can cause Lifejacket materials to deteriorate and lose buoyancy

4. Avoiding contact with sharp objects and performing regular checks and maintenance when your Lifejacket is an Inflatable

Inspect Lifejackets monthly for signs of mildew, rot, rust, tears, leaks, insecure or damaged straps and hardware, hardened or crushed stuffing, missing safety items added to the device, or other characteristics important to its proper operation.  Immediately correct any problems you find (throwaway and replace Lifejacket's or replace missing safety items).

Wearing appropriate cold weather protective gear can help reduce the risk of hypothermia (a major water related killer)!

US Coast Guard Initiative "You're In Command" covers:

1. Why Should I Wear My Lifejacket?

2. New Lifejackets Are Attractive and Easy To Wear.

3. Things You Should Know!

4. How Do Lifejackets Save Lives?

BoatUS Foundation Lifejacket Technical Guide

Setting Straight Some Common Misconceptions:

1. The "USCG-Approved" label on a Lifejacket DOES NOT guarantee it will save your life, it only indicates that when the Lifejacket was made it met minimum USCG specified design, construction and testing standards.

2. Being a good swimmer DOES NOT guarantees you will be safe around water and able to save your life if something unexpected happens.  What if you are injured?  What if you encounter a rip current?  What if you are stuck in the water for an extended period of time?

3. Use of Type III Flotation Aids ARE NOT only for use with activities like water-skiing, kayaking, riding a PWC, or where retrieval from the water is immediately available.  Type III and V devices can be worn under a wide range of situations and wearing them can make the difference between life and death.  An average adult only requires 7 to 12 pounds of additional buoyancy to remain afloat.  

4. A Type II, Near-Shore Devices, DOES NOT provide sufficient protection to save your life when boating on Inland Waters under all conditions.  It is only effective in keeping your head above water in calm seas and protected conditions.

5. Type IV Throwable Devices ARE NOT a substitute for Lifejackets.  They are used to provide temporary assistance to a person who has fallen overboard or to help mark the spot where the incident occurred.

A Lifejacket Floats, You Don't - Wear It, We Do!

Find out more about Flotilla 23-1 & CG Auxiliary

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