Most kids love boats and there’s plenty of water around central Virginia for boating. However, fun on the water can become a tragedy in seconds if youngsters are not taught safety rules which are strictly followed and enforced.

Simple ignorance is the cause of many mishaps on the water. Education is the single most effective means to help prevent boating tragedies.

The most crucial safety procedure is to use a life jacket—also known as a Personal Floatation Device (PFD). In fact, in more than 75 percent of fully documented recreational-boating fatalities, the victim was not wearing any type of floatation device.

Federal law mandates that all boats, powered or non-powered, must carry at least one Coast Guard-approved wearable PFD for each per-son in the boat and children under age 7 must wear theirs. (Boat cushions are not wearable.) The PFDs must be in good condition, of appropriate size for the intended user and readily accessible.

Children’s PFDs are sized by weight ranges. When shopping, check for a Coast Guard-approved label and consider brightly colored and attractive life jackets. Kids are more likely to accept devices that are appealing to them, and vivid colors are easier to see in the water. You can tell if the PFD is the right size if you can raise your child from the floor by lifting only the PFD. If the child slips through, it is too loose and might not keep your child safe in the water.

For young children, a head support and a strap between the legs are important additional features.

Remember, wearing a PFD around water should never be a choice for your children. For their safety it must be a rule. 

On Your Own Boat

Know how many your boat can safely hold. Never exceed the rated limit on your boat’s safety plate.

• Take advantage of a free Coast Guard Courtesy Marine Examination. You receive a Seal of Safety decal if you have the proper equipment; however, there is no penalty if something is lacking. For more information, call (800) 336-2628 or visit www.boatus.com/courseline.

• Understand how to safely load and balance a small boat.

• Be sure children sit securely in seats, not perched on the gunwales or bow area.

• Leave alcohol on shore. A “designated driver” isn’t enough. In an emergency, a single sober individual may not be able to take care of even one other person.

• Always have a lookout to prevent collisions with other boats, water skiers or underwater hazards. • Stay with your boat in the event of an accident.

• Be aware of weather reports; watch for unexpected squalls or storms.

On Someone Else’s Boat

• Know your skipper. Commercial vessels must meet specific Coast Guard requirements, but anyone can drive a private boat. Assess how reliable the person is before you get in for a ride.

• Don’t assume there will be PFDs that will safely fit your child. Bring your own.

• If your child has not ridden in a boat before, rehearse rules at home such as staying seated while the boat is motion and not moving around without the skipper’s permission.