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Winnipesaukee · 09-18-2007, 07:32 PM

My 2 cents.

I think requiring that non-PFD wearers be lifeguard certified might be a little extreme for the dock. I think if they know how to swim, they should be alright.
Motorboats, if the conditions are smooth, the gunwales are fairly high, and the kids are well-behaved, I don't see a problem with them taking off their jackets.

Kayaks, I don't know. Can go either way.

Sailboats (of ANY kind), PFDs MUST be worn by EVERYONE (unless below deck or well out of the way of the boom). The main reason being getting hit by the boom and knocked out of the boat/unconscious.

A good exercise I use to educate kids (I teach sailing), is during the swim test, throw them a life jacket and have them try to get into it (after having them swim 75 yards and tread water for 4 minutes). It shows them how difficult it is to put one on after a fall overboard and reinforces the rule that PFDs are worn at all times in the boat.

09-18-2007, 07:32 PM	#5
Winnipesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 233 Thanks: 14 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	My 2 cents. I think requiring that non-PFD wearers be lifeguard certified might be a little extreme for the dock. I think if they know how to swim, they should be alright. Motorboats, if the conditions are smooth, the gunwales are fairly high, and the kids are well-behaved, I don't see a problem with them taking off their jackets. Kayaks, I don't know. Can go either way. Sailboats (of ANY kind), PFDs MUST be worn by EVERYONE (unless below deck or well out of the way of the boom). The main reason being getting hit by the boom and knocked out of the boat/unconscious. A good exercise I use to educate kids (I teach sailing), is during the swim test, throw them a life jacket and have them try to get into it (after having them swim 75 yards and tread water for 4 minutes). It shows them how difficult it is to put one on after a fall overboard and reinforces the rule that PFDs are worn at all times in the boat. __________________ Sail fast, live slow!