Family Boating & Life Jacket Safety Checklist

Everything families need before and during a day on the water

WaterWiseKids.com — Free water safety education for families

Run through this before every trip — boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or pontoon.

Family / group:

Trip date:

Launch site / water:

Emergency contact:

Life Jackets: Fit Comes First

One U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket per person — check the printed label inside the jacket for the USCG approval stamp. Inflatable belts and "floaties" do not count.
Sized by your child's weight, not age — life jackets are rated by weight (for example, Infant under 30 lbs, Child 30-50 lbs, Youth 50-90 lbs). Match the label to your child.
Do the lift test — buckle it snug, then lift the child by the shoulder straps. If the jacket slides up past the chin or ears, it is too big.
Crotch strap fastened on infant and child jackets — this keeps the jacket from riding up over the face in the water.
Head-support collar for non-swimmers and infants — choose a jacket that turns a face-down child face-up on its own.
No tears, no mildew, all buckles work — replace any jacket that is faded, ripped, or waterlogged. Foam loses buoyancy over time.

Check the weather and water conditions — wind, storms, and tides change fast. Postpone the trip if conditions look rough.
Tell someone your float plan — share where you are going and when you expect to be back with a person staying on shore.
Charge phones; pack them in a dry bag — a waterproof pouch keeps a phone usable for emergencies.
Sunscreen, water, and snacks for everyone — dehydration and sun fatigue make accidents more likely, especially for kids.
Put life jackets on before boarding — it is far easier to fit and buckle a jacket on dry land than on a moving boat.

Throwable flotation device — a ring or cushion you can toss to someone in the water without leaving the boat.
Whistle or sound signal on each life jacket — a child who falls in or drifts can signal for help even when their voice tires.
First aid kit and basic tool kit — stocked, dry, and easy to reach.
Working navigation lights and a flashlight — required if you may be out near dusk.
Engine cut-off switch lanyard clipped to the operator — stops the propeller instantly if the driver is thrown from the helm.

Life jackets stay ON the entire time — not just "when we feel like it." Most child boating drownings happen to kids who were not wearing one.
Assign a Water Watcher — one adult whose only job is watching the kids, with no phone and no distractions. Trade off every 15-20 minutes.
Stay seated while the boat is moving — no standing, no riding on the bow, no dangling legs over the side near the motor.
Engine off before anyone enters the water — confirm the motor is off and the propeller is stopped before swimming.
No alcohol for the operator — boating under the influence is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

Enroll in swim lessons — a child who can roll to a back float, breathe, and reach the side has a real advantage if they end up in the water unexpectedly.
Practice floating in a life jacket — let kids feel how the jacket holds them up before the trip so it is not a surprise.
Teach "reach or throw, don't go" — kids should call an adult and hand or toss something to a struggling swimmer rather than jumping in.
Talk through a fall-overboard plan — stay calm, float on your back, keep your jacket buckled, and wait for the boat to come to you.

A life jacket is one layer — not a guarantee — gear, supervision, and swimming ability work together. No single layer is enough on its own.
Swim lessons do not make a child drown-proof — even strong young swimmers need a jacket and an adult watching on open water.
Learn CPR — minutes matter on the water, where help may be far away. Every boating adult should know child and adult CPR.
Call your pediatrician about ear tubes, seizures, or other conditions — get clearance and any special precautions before open-water trips.