Page 15 - Mid America Boating - July 2021 issue

There’s a good reason why the recreational vessel must have a
US Coast Guard Auxiliary asks U.S. Coast Guard Approved life- Child lifejacket requirements:
you to please always wear your jacket for each person aboard. • Federal Law requires that when a vessel is
life jacket . We want you to be • Lifejacket wear regulations for underway, children under 13 years of age 15
safe on the water and it can save children may vary by state. must wear their lifejacket.
your life and those of your • Adult-sized lifejackets may not • Exceptions for when below deck or within
friends and family. work for children. Child size life- an enclosed cabin.
As warm weather boating is jackets are available. • State laws may vary. Check with your state
here, you might think the risk of • When worn correctly a foam boating safety officials.”
drowning decreases; in fact, most filled lifejacket will fit snugly and (Source: USCG Auxiliary).
boat related drownings happen on will not allow the lifejacket to [ MID-AMERICA BOATING
warm, sunny days. So, you should rise above the wearer's chin or Request a Vessel Safety Check
always wear your life jacket! ears. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts
• Foam-filled lifejackets should free vessel safety checks to ensure your boat
Why you need to wear a be tested for wear and buoyancy is safe to go out and enjoy the water. Please
life jacket at least once a year. note that vessel safety checks are not avail-
Quite simply, wearing a life Waterlogged, faded, or other- able in all areas, but a virtual safety check
jacket will save your life by: wise damaged lifejackets should may be an alternative. Contact the Auxiliary:
• Keeping you above water if you be discarded. http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-
unexpectedly fall into the water. • Inflatable lifejackets should be DEPT&category=i-want-a-vsc to see what is
• Helping you stay buoyant if you maintained per the manufactur- available in your area. ] JULY 2021
jump into the water to save er's instructions.
someone. • Most adults only need 7 to 12 Take a Boating Safety Class
• Providing a means to stay above water if comfortable and can be secured with an pounds of buoyancy (31 to 53 Newton) to Boating safety classes, even if not available
you fall in and are hurt, injured or tired. adjustable feature. keep their heads above water. in-person, are also available online. Statistics
• Keeping you above water if you can’t swim For sizing information and help in select- • Though not always required by law, a life- show that taking safe boating classes save
well or don’t swim at all. ing a life jacket, please see www.uscgboat- jacket should be worn at all times when the lives. More information is available here:
Choosing a life jacket ing.org/images/howtochoosetherightlife- vessel is underway. A wearable lifejacket can http://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/
When purchasing a life jacket, it should be: jacket_brochure.pdf save your life, but only when you wear it. Please wear your life jacket at all times and
• US Coast Guard approved (there may be • Wearable lifejackets must be readily acces- do not drink and drive! MAB
additional federal, state, and local require- Key takeaways sible. You must be able to put your lifejacket
ments). You should check the label of the • The best lifejacket is the one you will wear. on in a reasonable amount of time in an David G. Epstein, BC-SRB, FSO-HR is an offi-
jacket. • Certain lifejackets are designed to keep emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, cer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary which is the
• Ensure it is appropriate for the activity your head above water and help you remain etc.).Lifejackets should not be stowed in uniformed Auxiliary of Team Coast Guard. He is a
(motor boating, paddle boating, etc.) and in a position that permits proper breathing. plastic bags, in locked or closed compart- Branch Chief in the Strategic Planning Directorate
that it is in good condition and safety • Some styles of lifejackets are not intended ments or have other gear stowed on top of and Staff Officer for Flotilla 14-05-03 in New York
checked. for weak or non-swimmers (read the label and them. City. For more information, please visit
• Make sure it fits well, checking chest size. be honest). • Throwable devices must be immediately http://cgaux.org
• Try your life jacket on and make sure it’s • To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a available for use.

Find out why

you should use

a SAMS

surveyor

at...

www.marinesurvey.org

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