This presentation addresses questions and concerns about children and life jackets along with how kids can help encourage life jacket wear with all boaters.

2. FOR ALL BOATERS: Your life jacket could save your life.

3. POWERBOATERS: Safe and responsible boating starts with all boaters in a boat wearing their life jacket at all time while on the water.

4. PADDLERS: Either as part of a tandem boat or as an individual, life jacket wear is a personal responsibility.

5. REMEMBER: It’s not enough to simply carry life jackets; you have to wear one. Accidents on the water happen too fast to reach stowed life jackets.

6. Life jackets for YOU: Life jackets meant for adults do not work for kids. Proper fit of a life jacket means it fits snugly, it’s buckled, or zipped up, and is appropriate for your weight.

7. Choose a properly fitted life jacket. Check the manufacturer’s ratings for size and weight and make sure it’s USCG-approved. Proper fit BAD FIT

8. The Law and You Each state has different laws that apply to kids and certain water activities. A Federal law is also in place that requires kids under 13 to wear a life jacket.

9. The Law and You While there are very few laws that require adults to wear life jackets. Life jacket wear is a matter of survival for everyone. It also sets a good example for other boaters.

10. To ALWAYS wear his or her life jacket. Accidents on the water happen too fast to reach stowed life jackets. The #1 thing any boater can do:

11. What you can do: In addition to wearing your life jacket, remind other boaters about the importance of life jacket wear.

12. You are the next generation of boaters: Your actions serve as a constant reminder that everyone must always wear a life jacket. When other kids grow up they then provide an example to the next generation of boaters.

13. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!