Manditory Life Jackets For Kids

[johnnie crain outdoors]

My State Representitive told me this week that he is going to try to pass a bill requiring anyone under the age of 13 to wear a life jacket while the boat is underway. I told him, he had my vote. I think it's a good idea.
I can't tell you how many times I've seen parents load three or more kids into a small flatbottom with a five horse and head off down the Mississippi river. I wonder how they survive, some don't!! What do you all think about this law??

[carl]

Although I rarely see a kid without a life jacket around here, I'm just shocked to hear that someone would take their kids out onto the River, with or without life jackets. Don't know much about the River up in your neck of the woods, but down here only the experienced and dumb go on that river. It's about 45 minutes away from me, and I have sat on the bank many times, and watched debris, logs (big ones) not float, but rush by. I've seen that current run at 20 knots, and then throw in the barge traffic. My club used to fish the river, but we were in backwaters, not on the River itself. It was a rare guy who would venture out to move to a new location, those lower ends tend to cost a few bucks. We stopped fishing the river a few years ago because some of the backwaters were fished to death, they held some of the most pathetic looking bass I've ever seen. On any given weekend 2,3,5 bass clubs would be fishing. Anyway, I'll get off my soap box. I agree with you Johnnie. One more note, IL. may have a law about kids/lifejackets since I don't recall ever seeing a kid without one. Carl

[bassin butch]

Johnnie: I think its a marvelous idea that should be law Nationwide. My thoughts: All children must wear seat belts while traveling in a car, and baby's must be in car seats and properly restrained. I cant think of any reason not to require children to wear life jackets. Personally: Neither of my (2) grandchildren are allowed in my bass boat unless they are wearing their life jackets. My oldest grandchild last year said "I don't want to wear it", I said : " OK we are headed home no fishing today", he quickly changed his mind and we went fishing. My wife is a volunteer EMT and she has seen situations involving car accidents as well as boating, although she is prohibited from talking about it. I can tell you the tears streaming down her face speak volumes. Regarding what you've seen: I have seen 12 ft flat bottom johnboats with 2 adults and 3 kids with no life jackets on anyone. Just last spring I was fishing on greenbay (WI) the waves were at least 2 ft high. I looked out into the bay and said to my partner " Is that a row boat way out there?" he said it cant be! Sure enough about 20 minutes later we were passed by them (Two adults two kids) a 14 FT row boat with a 9.9 merc on the back. The kids were bailing with coffee cans as they passed.

Bassin
Butch

[RNE]

Oklahoma requires children under the age of 13 must be jacketed at all times while on the water.(I believe, no time to fetch my regulation book from the other office.)

And rightly so, when I ran my own dealership, and managed two others I would give child sized vests to any customer who bought a boat if they had kids.
Also, children's vests on the shelf were priced at cost.

An additional point, personal watercraft operators in this state must be 13 years of age. Though, from countless confontations with a very small percentage of those who ride them, I often think the minumum age should be raised to, oh let's say, 65 or so. :rolleyes:

Not to put to fine a point on it, I used to sell the (&&(*& things. The vast majority of folks who use personal watercraft are courteous on the water. It's that half percent who get me riled up.

[brendanc]

I agree, it should be a nation-wide law. Regardless, it should be a common practice for everyone, even adults. With the invention of the self inflating life jackets, you can wear one all day and not have it get in your way when fishing or just enjoying your time on the water.

Just about every year, I hear at least one story about a some fisherman who got knocked out of the boat and was not wearing a life jacket... you guys know how this story usually ends.

With kids, you have to take extra precautions and it is sad to think that there are parents out there that will allow their kids on the water without a life jacket. After all, they wouldn't be trying to pass a law if there wasn't a problem.

[Carolina Fisher2]

Here in NC we have had the law for kids under the age of 14 having to wear a life jacket at all times in a boat whether moving or not for the last two years . I'm a strong supporter of it . I don't know how it pertains to rivers though and I agree 100% that it should be a nationwide law its a no brainer .

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm sure we will get the law passed. People fish the river a lot here, we don't have many lakes of any size. In every seminar or public appearance I do I stress for everyone to wear life jackets, it's just common sense. We are running into a little difficulty because the Corps of Engineers and Coat Guard actually run the river, but Iowa can pass a law pertaining to our side of the river. I will NOT give up on this one. Johnnie

[Table Rock Guide]

Johnnie, When I'm guiding the US Coast Guard requires that I have children and adult approved jackets on board and in use in any US in-land water river systems for all children and adults while underway. To my suprise Missouri state water patrol does not require this?

My rule as the Captain any child or adult must wear the life jacket at all times when the big engine is running, Children at all times. Just makes me feel much safer, and with one less thing to worry about...

You would think this would be a Federal law in all states for all lakes even Federal or private owned lakes??? Does not make any sense...



Good FIshing

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Don, you bring up another good point-Child size life jackets. some people don't know 1 size does not fit all. A child can easily slip through an adult size jacket, and a childs vest may not support an extra heavy kid.