One of the most important things you can do for boating safety is ensure that every person on the craft has a lifejacket on while on the water. Buy lifejackets that fit properly and that are certified, taking note that there are special lifejackets for cold-water survival and lifejackets that are designed especially for infants and young children. If you have a pet consider a lifejacket for it as well because there have been many cases of families losing loved ones who attempt to rescue the family pet.

Have a plan for other boating emergencies, including what to do if someone falls overboard, if your boat starts to leak or if the boat capsizes. Never leave shore without a Float Plan whether you are on a short day trip or a long boating excursion.

Essential items to have on board include:

• Lifejackets for everyone
• First aid kit
• Flotation devices and life ring
• Flare gun

You need to be prepared and ensure your canoe, motorboat or pleasure craft is properly equipped. Don’t wait for disaster to find out what you’re missing.
Have an Emergency Drill

Experts talk about body memory and children as well as adults often cope better in an actual emergency if they have run through the process or plan before. Consider tipping a canoe with everyone in their lifejackets so they can experience being capsized. Talk about what to do – treading water, keeping their body warm in very cold water to guard against hypothermia, kicking off shoes if they drag them down – and practice. Plan for and practice different scenarios:

• What to do if one person falls overboard.
• What to do if you are a long way from shore or close enough to try to make it to shore.

 Practice What You Preach

Children learn what they observe. For example, if you tell them to wear lifejackets but you and the other adults never wear them, they will soon want to be like the adults and not wear them either. If you want children and teens to take boat safety seriously, you need to set the example.