LIFE JACKETS MANDATORY AT ALL TIMES..........WHAT

[@nelsongilbert1695]

Our boat rules, all children wear life jackets at all times, no exceptions. Our family does NOT "pleasure" boat in cold (hypothermic) conditions. DO NOT pleasure boat in hypothermic conditions unless you know what you're doing (which means your family is NOT on board). If you KNOW what you're doing (in hypothermic conditions) you'll wear a PFD. Indirectly related to boating, dear fellow parents, I emphatically implore you to teach or have your children taught to swim (local swim club or YM/WCA). This is by far a major step towards saving them from death and should be the responsibility of every parent! Current PWC requirements "mandatory PFD" use (works for me) At dock, moored by anchor etc... leave as choice. Diving into water with a PFD can cause injury. Parents, PLEASE, don't let your kids sit on the bow of the boat while underway. Would you put them on the hood of your car while you drive down main street?

[@smeefamily54]

Tom: ALL people should be wearing life jackets at all times when on the water. The only time you would not require one is if you are a diving platform. I have seen so many people that have their life jackets neatly stored away and the vessel is full of people. There is no way they could get to them if they flipped over or were swamped by another boat. If you look at the cost to find a drowned person involved in a boating accident people would think twice. I once had the opportunity to see a houseboat with 4 people on board. Two very young children, the father and grandmother. The poodle was the only one with a life jacket on. The life jacket should also be securley fastened at all times. Many parents cut the crotch strap off of the smaller life jackets. They are there for a purpose. All life jackets should also have a whistle attached too.