Life Vest For Kids

Life Jackets = PFDs (Personal Flotation Device)

Pick the One That’s Right for You and Your Passengers

In Hawaii, children 12 years of age and under must wear a personal floatation device (PFD) while aboard a vessel operating or anchored offshore (HAR 13-243-1).

Approximately 85-90% of the people who die in boating accidents ended up in the water unexpectedly and drowned. Adults should wear their life jackets at all times while on the water and serve as a good example to their children.

Remember: LIFE JACKETS FLOAT, YOU DON’T

The USCG requires children under 13 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on moving vessels, with specific sizing by weight: Infants (<30 lbs) need snug-fitting jackets (often Type II/III with leg straps/crotch straps for face-up flotation), Children (30-50 lbs) wear Small/Medium, and Youth (50-90 lbs) wear Large. The jacket must fit snugly, be USCG-approved, and states often have stricter laws, with some recommending against infants under 18 months on boats.

Key Requirements & Guidelines:

State and Federal Law: Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket (PFD) on all recreational vessels underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Infants: USCG recommends against taking infants under 18 months on recreational vessels; if on a boat, they need a specially designed infant life jacket (usually for <30 lbs) with a head support and leg/crotch strap to keep them face-up.
Children (30-50 lbs): Typically wear Child Small or Medium PFDs, designed for general boating.
Youth (50-90 lbs): Typically wear Child Large PFDs, offering more comfort for longer wear.
Fit is Critical: A life jacket must fit snugly. Lift the child by the shoulders of the PFD; their chin and ears should not slip through.
Types: Look for Type II (often for infants/children, turns wearer face-up) or Type III (better mobility for older kids, but may not always turn face-up) PFDs.