Life Jacket Training Series: Part 1 - Devices

Life Jacket Series: Part 1 - Devices

Throughout the world, one million children die of unintentional injuries each year. Millions of other children are injured in ways that can affect them for a lifetime. The good news is that these injuries are preventable. There are solutions that are proven to work especially when it comes to keeping children safe around water.

Research shows survivors of boating accidents were two times more likely to survive when wearing a life jacket. In addition, there is evidence to show that simple act of wearing a life jacket for the first time improves one's performance on donning a second life jacket - which means using an object to reduce drowning is teachable.  The Dangerous Waters Report by Safe Kids Worldwide confirms what most professionals know to be true that the group with the highest risk of drowning are children aged one through four years.

Safe Kids Maricopa County and Phoenix Children's Hospital have embarked on a research study with a new approach focusing on teaching parents of 1-4 year olds how to properly select and fit a life jacket to increase use in swimming pools. This prospective study is an attempt to answer the question, "Can we encourage the use of life jackets in a swimming pool without the loss of supervision by parents?"

Follow this three-part series to learn more!

Part 1: DEVICES

Let's start with floaties. You've seen them in the aisle of your favorite store and on the end cap at the convenience store for a few bucks. Grab, inflate and go - right? Wrong.

Take a moment to read the label: WARNING: WILL NOT PROTECT AGAINST DROWNING. USE ONLY UNDER COMPETENT SUPERVISION.

A floatie is really just a toy. It's not meant to right a child's head above water or orient them to a safe position. It's about as effective as a beach ball in the water when it comes to protecting a child.

Although no device replaces adult supervision there are safer alternatives that provide a layer of protection when in and around the water. One of the most common entrants to the market is the Puddle Jumper.

A Puddler Jumper is U.S. Coast Guard approved and designed to help keep a child's face above water at all times. Although a safe device, puddle jumpers have not been studied as extensively as life jackets have been. The warning label on the inside of these devices state, "EVEN THOUGH A CHILD WEARS A PUDDLE JUMPER, AN ADULT SHOULD ALWAYS BE THERE TOO." Great advice!

A Life Jacket is available in many shapes and sizes. Choose a life jacket which has a U.S. Coast Guard approval label, and a strap that fits under your child's bottom.

Infant: Rounded flotation collar with grab strap. Adjustable belts & leg strap for a safe, secure fit. 0 - 30 lbs.

Child: Adjustable belts & leg strap for a safe, secure fit. 30 - 50 lbs.

Youth: Adjustable belts for a safe & secure fit. 50 - 90 lbs.

So toss the floaties and check the label. Which device do you use to keep your kids safe around water?