Boating Secrets

Recreational family boating is a great way to spend time with your children. There are many tasks that can be assigned to youngsters to teach responsibility and being out in nature provides endless lessons for the young boater. Nonetheless, if youngsters are going to be joining you, there are a few features to at least consider when purchasing family boats.

You will probably want to have a boat with a cuddy cabin – space below where children can rest and/or get out of the sun. These can be good places for them to play also when they get bored as children almost always inevitably do.

A child’s life jacket is very important and differs from the adult model in a few ways. When buying a life jacket for your child, get a good one with a collar that turns a child face up in the water. It must have strong waist and crotch straps, a handle on the collar, and preferably be a bright yellow or orange color for good visibility. Attach a plastic safety whistle to the lifejacket and teach the child how to use the whistle, and practice using it.

Because the life jacket can mean the difference between rescue and tragedy, you really need to pay special attention to getting one that will fit your child correctly and keep them safe. Here are some considerations you must address when picking out a life vest for your child.

• Check with your state to find out what the mandatory age is for life vests. Some states say that children 6 and under must wear a life vest all the time while others have different age limitations. Even if the child you have on board your boat is older than your state’s mandatory age, it’s still a good idea to have ALL children on the boat wear a life vest all the time.
• Believe it or not, the type of water you are on can make a difference in which life vest you choose for a child. Type II vests are made for lakes, bays, and oceans. PWC vests are more for shallow water conditions.
• Infants (up to 30 pounds) should have a life vest with a hinged collar, a strong grab loop, and a sturdy plastic zipper and belt around the waist.
• For children from 5-10 years old weighing 50-90 pounds, you can choose a smaller version of the adult Type II vest depending on their size. Just be sure it fits well and even test it out to be sure the vest will do its job in case of an emergency.

Pack a cooler with lots of fluids like water and juices (such as apple or grape), baby bottles and sippy cups. Being out in the sun for extended periods of time, children and adults get dehydrated quickly. Stay away from sodas, because they contain sodium and can make you more dehydrated. Pack snacks that are not too salty or too sweet.

Even if you don’t have infants, take a diaper bag or a backpack with extra changes of clothes, and make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Bring plastic bags to keep wet things away from dry things.

Depending on how much time you will spend on the water, your child may need a nap. Bring a small blanket or some towels and a small pillow and prepare a cozy place for them like in a cuddy cabin or a makeshift tent.

Try to plan activities for your child involving the water or the boat. Bring crayons and some paper to draw a picture of the boat and label the parts. A small rod and some bait (optional) can provide hours of entertainment, as can a snorkel and a mask. Toys are good, as long as they are waterproof and easily replaced, as there is always the chance of things getting wet and falling overboard. Books are great, keep them dry with plastic bags or by keeping them below deck.

If you have an infant bring a car seat or bouncy chair and set them where you want them to be on the boat. This also gives them a place to sleep, and gives you a rest from holding them. Set them in the seat comfortably, but DO NOT strap an infant into it as you would in a car. If the infant should happen to go overboard strapped into a seat, it will cause their life vest to not function properly.

The most important thing for you to have is a positive attitude and approach. Boating can be very enriching and educational for a child. Besides the fact that they are exposed to fresh air and sunshine, only by being out in nature can a child truly appreciate the environment and understand the need to preserve it. The excitement of seeing birds, fish, dolphins or even manatees and manta rays in their natural habitats cannot be replaced by TV or seaquariums.

Part of this positive attitude is a realistic approach towards safety. Establish clear and enforceable rules on the boat. Having too many restrictions on board can quench a child’s desire to go boating. Establish a chain of command, especially if the boat belongs to someone else or is captained by another person.

Talk to the child before hand about expected behavior onboard and what activities are allowed, explaining in clear, simple language the real dangers behind activities that are not allowed, while making it fun and challenging. Go through safety procedures on the boat, such as man overboard procedures, and give the child ideas of things to do when an emergency happens.

For example, if they should happen to fall overboard, using their whistle not only alerts others on the boat, it also gives them something to focus on so they do not panic in the water. Teach them the basic parts of a boat. Information and clear procedures are your best weapons in an emergency. Ask them questions about what you have said to ensure that they are listening and comprehending your instructions.

Expect that the first few times a child has to wear a life jacket, a hat that ties down, or other protective gear, will be met with resistance, and maybe even disliked, and almost inevitably complained or cried about (especially if they are infants). However, it is necessary to stand firm and insist that the safety and protective gear is worn and used.

Encourage them constantly with love to show the child that it is for their safety and benefit. This may take a couple of times, but once a child knows that there is no compromise on certain things, they will quickly forget their complaining and get used to wearing these items. It is better to get a child used to wearing protective gear at a very young age, because as they grow older they will know what to expect, and even remind you to put these items on them.

Mechanical devices and electronics such as winches, control panels, engine throttles, motors, electric reels, windlasses, EPIRBS, flares, and flare guns need to be off limits for children, unless they are old enough to be able to operate them safely.

Areas of the boat where ropes and halyards are should be off limits; since it is easy to trip on them or to get a foot or hand wrapped up or caught in a line and pulled overboard. When approaching any obstacle, dock, or vessel it is necessary to remind everyone to keep all body parts in the boat and off the rails, gunnels or sides of the boat to avoid getting fingers or feet pinched or smashed.

Above everything else, DO NOT hesitate to talk to your child – no matter how young – about what you are doing and how to boat. Children learn by watching, but they also learn by doing. When you take the time to show them about boating, it will stay with them for years to come and you will be bringing up a new generation of boaters.

Responsible boating gives children self confidence and inspires their curiosity, at the same time providing you with an opportunity to share your lifestyle with them. Plan ahead and your time on the water with them will be a precious one!

Another great way to get your child excited about boating is to use children’s literature. There are tons of boating books on the market. Read them with your child and discuss how the stories are similar to your own boating adventures. Encourage them to point out aspects of the story they are familiar with. When you are on the water, you can also point out things that you’ve read about that are happening or similar to your real life adventure.

There are actually statistics and studies that have been done on the advantages of boating with children. These studies show that children who are involved in boating with their families tend to be better team players, are healthier, more outgoing than their peers, have an optimistic outlook on life, and aren’t afraid to be leaders. Children involved in boating are also more apt to try other activities and succeed than those children who haven’t been exposed to boating.

Boating is good for families, and it’s good for children especially. Get that little one out on the water with you and open up a whole new world for them!

While you may take all of the necessary precautions and are as safe as you possibly can be, the reality is that despite your best intentions, accidents can still happen. You should know what to do in the event of an accident.