Boating mommies-- life jackets?

GeminiKMP-C · June 2009

This weekend will be DD's first trip to Grandma & Grandpa's lake house. They have a pontoon boat and are required to have a life jacket on board for every passenger, so there will definitely be one available (yet to be purchased, argh) but I'm curious if you have/will have your LO's actually wear it.

I could see on a speed boat, definitely. My parents putter around on the pontoon, so speed isn't an issue and jet skis aren't allowed, plus its a small lake so it doesn't get choppy. She would only be out during morning and late afternoon/evening. We won't be taking her in the water to swim.

Deep down I know she should wear it, but I'm worried she's going to hate having it around her neck and shoulders and cry the whole time. I want her to enjoy being out on the water. Am I being stupid for even considering not making her wear it? I know the boat could blow up or someone else could hit us... or something else completely unexpected. It seems so far out, yet most accidents are unexpected. Aghh.

1stMate · June 2009

I know here in MN it's illegal for anyone under either 12 or 16 (I forget which) to not be wearing a life jacket. Here's a pic of J5 in his:

I'm really hoping his opinion of it changes when there's scenery and water to enjoy.

Ris9701 · June 2009

Jax hates his life vest too.

It sucks. I did put it on him when we took our boat out because the "what if" thing freaks me out too much. The last two times we have gone out, my mom and I switched turns of taking care of Jax and going out the on boat. He was much happier being inside the house playing vs out in the hot sun with that stupid vest on. I can't wait until he has a neck so that he will enjoy it more!

GeminiKMP-C · June 2009

Oh gosh!! That's exactly what I'm afraid of. Poor guy. I'll have to check on the laws.

GeminiKMP-C · June 2009

I don't think it's the law in Ohio, but the more I read, the more I don't think I could take her out without one on. I think I'd be so nervous about the "what-if's" that I wouldn't enjoy myself anyway. Maybe she'll surprise me and not mind wearing it.

mrs_ross07 · June 2009

we just bought C one tonight. There is NO way in hell that I'll allow him on any type of boat without a life jacket.

ashs · June 2009

I think it's a law in KS too that you have to wear one at all times under a certain age. I remember SIL always whining about having to wear hers since no one else had one on. Maybe you could loosen it up when you are just sitting and then tighten it back up when you are moving?

rowanthefrog · June 2009

As a former Coastie who has seen too many boating accidents and the horrible results of them, please put your baby in a life jacket. ?I assure you that whatever discomfort she may have is more than worth it in the incredibly unlikely event of an accident.

Ethan went on a boat for the first time over Memorial Day weekend with his cousin - here they are in their jackets.

?https://amyandjames.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/100_5889_edited-11.jpg

A?

SpartanGirl · June 2009

Both of my kids hate their life jackets, but I will NOT let them on a boat without one. Two years ago when we were out, DH's cousin (who was 6 at the time) flipped overboard while the boat was moving. Totally a freak accident, but thank God she was wearing her life jacket. She could swim, but she panicked.

I would rather my kids cry the entire time then risk the chance of losing them forever.

bear2115 · June 2009

Maggie has this one. We went out on Memorial Day on the boat, it is a pontoon also, and we brought it but didn't put it on her. I held her the whole time and there were literally no other boats on the lake. I think we're going to have to make her wear it when there are other boats and/or when she doesn't want to be held. I hope she doesn't scream the whole time because that will really wreck my summer! haha!

lata82 · June 2009

we are a big boating family and we always make T wear hers, the only time I have ever taken it off of her was to bf her but we were stopped at the end of a creek. she actually doesn't mind it too much. the life jacket we got is neoprene which is what dh and i prefer so that's what we got her

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/16041406.aspx

BeachGirll · June 2009

We already have a life jacket for her, which she hates wearing. It's the law here that one is on board, but not that she be wearing it. We spend long days on the boat, so I don't want her to be uncomfortable the whole time, but I'm not comfortable with her not wearing anything. My plan is to buy her one of those "floating" swimming suits, so even if she doesn't have the life jacket on (which she will whenever we're in the water), she'll at least be buoyant in the case of an accident.

Example: https://www.babyultimate.com/16317.html

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