Monday, August 4, 2014

Society Insurance has provided this information. It's timely and worth the read: Life jackets have come a long way. They don’t have to be big, bulky and uncomfortable like those I wore as a kid. There are specialty life vests for most activities, such as fishing and kayaking that allow freedom of movement and relative comfort. For those over 16 years of age the newer automatic inflatable life jackets can be a very comfortable option – learn more in this video. National Safe Boating Council, Inc. Along with wearing life jackets, it is important to have enough personal flotation devices of the correct type. For boats less than 16’ in length, including canoes and kayaks, you must have one Coast Guard Approved life jacket for each person on the boat. If you have a mix of adults and children on board you need child-sized life jackets that will fit each child. If you are boating on a Federal waterway, such as Lake Michigan, then children under 13-years of age must wear a life jacket if the vessel is underway and they are not below deck or in a cabin. You can view or download a copy of the Federal Boating Safety regulations from the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Resource Center here. A copy of the State of Wisconsin Boating Safety regulations can be obtained from the DNR here. You can purchase lifejackets most anywhere; I have seen the traditional horse collar type for less than $10.00. But when it comes to comfort, to a great degree you get what you pay for. If it isn’t comfortable neither you nor your family members will want to wear it. Make the purchase a family event – in this way the kids can help choose the life jacket they like and you can make sure it fits them properly. Ron Binning Binning & Dickens Insurance Whitewater WI