A Case For Life Jackets

In 2009 TK Watersports performed a number of rescues, I am proud to say with no fatalities because we insist on people warring life vests. When the boat is moving and anyone jumps in the water they are required to ware a vest. Anyone 14 and younger is required to have a life vest on at all times.

Most of the parents that we work with on family reunion water sports charters, lessons, instruction are relieved when we share with them our policies on warring life vests. It makes it so they don't have to constantly fight there kids; it’s the captain’s rule.

No matter how you look at it, almost any boating accident imaginable has a predictable outcome – if you are in the water fighting for your life. Unless you are wearing a life jacket, your survival chances are marginal. Why take the chance make sure you outing is a save one.

The best case scenario would be falling overboard without sustaining an injury, and being quickly recovered by a person remaining in the boat, or by a nearby boater. In almost every other scenario I can think, surviving a boating accident that resulted in being ejected from the boat without a life jacket would depend upon a quick rescue.

I hate to be a predictor of doom and gloom, but in my experience as a professional water sports outfitter quick rescues don’t always happen. They happen but not often enough – as proven by the latest boating safety statistics:

• In 2006 there were 4,967 boating accidents
• 3,474 of the boaters required medical attention beyond first aid

• 710 recreational boaters died

• 476 of the 710 boaters drowned

• 29 children under the age of 12 died

If those statistics don’t convince you to wear a life jacket, then consider these reasons to wear a life jacket while boating:

Capsizing and falls overboard are the most reported types of fatal accidents, comprising 59 percent of all boating fatalities.Nine of ten drowning victims may have survived a capsizing or fall overboard if they had been wearing a life jacket. By wearing a life jacket while boating, you increase the chances of surviving by leaps and bounds. Think of it another way: without a lifejacket, how long can you tread water while waiting for rescue? What if you were injured?

You cannot prevent an accident by your boating skill or experience alone. Boaters with more than 100 hours boating experience, who are 36 years or older and don’t have formal boating safety education are responsible for most of the boating accidents and fatalities. Even if you have confidence in your boating skills, consider the many boaters who are less experienced and educated who share the waterways with you.

Comfort is no longer an issue. The major reason boaters forgo wearing life jackets is they value comfort over safety. Thankfully, boating supply manufacturers have responded by producing lightweight life jackets that can be worn without discomfort for an entire day of boating.

As I said, no matter how you slice it – there really is no reason not to wear a life jacket, and require all your passengers to wear one as well.

Babies, Kids and Family Boating Trips

Kids and boating
When we purchased our first boat we my wife was pregnant with our second to the last child. She was excited for the boat but only had a few weeks of fun wakeboarding and water skiing before the doctor told her she would have to through in the towel for the season. She was able to enjoy the 2nd season but it was some what challenging with a little one. The following year she was pregnant with our last child now we had two little ones, the challenge was to find ways on the boat that would make things easier on my wife and I and the kids. Here are just a few tips

1.) Don’t forget the diaper bag, bring extra cloths, and lots of wipes

2.) Sun Screen, Sun Screen, Sun Screen, Sun Screen, Sun Screen, it is never a good time if one of the kids gets to much sun. We spend a lot of time on the water and I am glad to say kids don’t have darkened skin from exposure to the sun. Keep that sunscreen on.

3.) Even though we are an outfitter by trade we insistent about all the kids under 14 putting on there life jackets before they even reach the dock. If all the kids do it the younger ones struggle less. Most fatalities are because of no life jackets. Take the worry away and stay safe.

4.) Most small kids and babies after a little struggle with the feeling of being confined in a life vest will settle down because of the activity and the hum of motor and the rocking of the water in many cases puts them to sleep.

5.) It is always a good idea to have a covering or shade. Most boats now days have bimmi tops to provide a little protection from the sun’s rays.

6.) Try to make it fun even for those that aren’t water skiing, wakeboarding or doing some of the water sports. After every few riders we stop the boat and let everyone in the boat jump in and swim around, in life vests of course. Remember stay safe, even adults can get into trouble in deep water. Our rule is that anyone on our boat the gets into that water has to be wearing a life vest. The kids sometime will have more fun with this than any activity.

7.) Take turns with the little ones so everyone has a good time.

8.) Don’t push kids or adults for that matter to do anything that they are not comfortable with. It’s not fun if they are scared, most people have to work up to it in there own way. It’s not uncommon for parents to push there kids to wakeboarding, water ski or other water sports before they are ready and sometimes can create more fear of the waters.

9.) Can’t stress enough sun screen and life vests

Parents, little kids can be apprehensive or dare devils some will even try to hang over the edge. Many of our rescues in our outfitting happen while little ones are sitting next to there parent.

TK Watersports