FWP urges water safety while boating
FLATHEAD LAKE — While out on the lake this summer, Fish, Wildlife and Parks urges all boaters to practice water safety, especially the use of life jackets. A simple thing can save a life.
Life jackets, life vests, or personal flotation devices — no matter what you choose to call them — are not considered a fashion accessory.
An individual is less likely to wear an unattractive, ill-fitting or worn out life jacket and that can be a life-threatening situation. Purchasing a suitable life vest is an investment in your safety and well-being that will pay big dividends and could even become one of your favorite outdoor fashion accessories.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has a life jacket loaner program for kids that makes children’s life vests available at a number of sites, including some Montana State Parks. For more information, call 1-800-421-6667 or go to www.hmhb-mt.org.
Life jackets are like seat belts, they only work if you wear them. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could save the lives of more than 80 percent of boating fatality victims. Take the time to be prepared before you go out boating or enjoying other water sports. Make sure you have and correctly wear the right life jacket before you go out in the water.
The label will tell you whether the life jacket is Coast Guard approved. Coast Guard approval is shown by a stencil marking or tag on the PFD. The marking or tag shows the amount of flotation in the device and the PFD type. To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements a life jacket must be a Type I, II, III, or V. Boats 16 feet or longer must have a Type IV throwable device as well.
The label will also tell you the size of the life jacket and how the life jacket can be used. Sizes run from infant to extra extra large. Adult life jackets will not work for children until they weigh about 90 pounds. Children’s life jackets should have a loop on the collar and a strap between the legs. It is a good idea if you are going to be around a shoreline, dock, or fishing pier to put life jackets on all children.
If your PFD or life jacket is damaged, it no longer meets legal requirements.
Check that there are no broken parts and no mold or rips in the fabric. Check your jackets yearly for buoyancy, rips, rust and rot. Throw away waterlogged, faded or leaky jackets.
Fasten all buckles, zippers and straps. Adjust straps so that the jacket fits snugly.
Life jackets must be Coast Guard approved and the right size for the wearer. Use the “touchdown test” to check if a life jacket fits.
With the jacket on, raise your arms as though signaling a touchdown. If when looking to the left, right and over the shoulder, the chest part of the jacket doesn’t hit the chin, the device probably fits. A good test for children is to have a child stand normally, arms at sides. Grab the life jacket at the shoulders and firmly lift up. If you can move the life jacket more than three inches up and down the child’s body, it doesn’t fit.
A life jacket that doesn’t fit could endanger the wearer as much as not wearing one. Check the PFD label for restrictions and limitations on its use and performance type.
There is no excuse good enough to not wear a life jacket on the water!
For more information on Life Jackets and water safety contact Cindy Bras Benson or Germaine White at 883-2888.
-Courtesy of Germaine White