There is nothing like spending a day with family and friends on the water. Whether you are fishing your favorite spot, soaking up the sun, or enjoying watersports it’s important to be safe before leaving the dock. Making sure everyone on board has a properly fitting life jacket is key for fun and safety to go hand and hand. A life jacket is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you can have on a boat.
While having enough personal flotation devices, or PFDs, on board is essential, it is not the same as wearing one. Boating accidents can happen quickly and without warning. Rough water, changing weather, collisions, equipment failure, or unexpected fall overboard can create dangerous situations within seconds. Even strong swimmers can struggle in the water. Injury, exhaustion, panic, waves, currents, and cold water can quickly make it difficult to stay afloat. PFDs provide flotation and can help keep a person's head above water while waiting for assistance. Wearing a life jacket before an emergency occurs is important because there may not be enough time to locate and put one on after an accident. If you need a set of life jackets quickly check out the Child Life Jacket Loaners - BoatUS Foundation.
A life jacket should always fit properly to ensure it provides the flotation and support it is designed to deliver in the water. A jacket that is too loose can slip off during an emergency, while one that is too tight may restrict movement and make boating uncomfortable. It is also important to choose the right type of life jacket for its intended purpose, whether you are fishing, cruising, waterskiing, or participating in another water activity. Taking the time to select the correct life jacket and ensuring a secure fit can make all the difference when it matters most. Children should always wear properly sized life jackets designed for their weight and size. An adult life jacket should never be used as a substitute for a properly fitting children's PFD. For more information about selecting and properly fitting a life jacket, visit Discover Boating's Life Jacket Guide to Fit and Safety.
Boat owners and operators can also lead by example. Making life jackets a normal part of the boating experience helps create a stronger culture of boating safety for passengers, families, and future generations of boaters. A life jacket may be one of the simplest pieces of equipment on your boat, but it can make the biggest difference in an emergency. Before your next day on the water, check your life jackets, make sure everyone has the proper fit, and remember: the best life jacket is the one you are wearing. To make sure that you and your family have the right information and resources check out Life Jackets - BoatUS Foundation.
Chaparral has been building quality family boats since 1965. Founded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Chaparral has called Nashville, Georgia home since 1976. Encompassing over 1 million square feet of manufacturing facilities, we are one of South Georgia’s largest employers with a full time roster of over 800 employees. Building high quality boats is still a process completed by hand by skilled craftsmen. At Chaparral, many of our builders are second or third generation boat builders that take personal pride in every boat they build.
