There are many kinds of VDS meeting nighttime and/or daytime requirements. Traditional
pyrotechnic devices include Hand-Held Flares, Flare Gun and Floating Smoke Flare. Electronic
E-Flares run off batteries and include a Distress Flag that meets daytime requirements.

WHO NEEDS TO CARRY FLARES?

Boaters are required to carry Visual Distress Signals (VDS) if they are or will be operating on U.S. coastal
waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, as well as those waters that directly connect, up to a point
where the waterway is less than 2 miles wide.

WHEN SHOULD I USE A FLARE TO SIGNAL FOR HELP?

Signal for help in an emergency. What constitutes an emergency is when there is threat to life,
threat to property, or a combination of threats that may lead you to jump overboard.

WHY SHOULD I USE AN E-FLARE?

E-Flares are easy to operate and do not expire. They only require that you check the batteries on
a regular basis. There is no risk of being burned by an E-Flare. The light from the E-Flare will
flash the S-O-S signal for at least 2 hours, much longer than a traditional flare.

WHERE DO I DISPOSE OF EXPIRED FLARES?

If your state does not have a flare disposal facility, next steps are to contact a local household
hazardous waste facility, local fire department or local boating enforcement agency for
recommendations.

HOW DO FLARE GUNS WORK?

A flare gun is made out of plastic and is used to discharge aerial flare cartridges. It can be used as
both day and night visual distress signals. Once launched, the light from the flare is only visible for
5 seconds.

Interested in learning more?

The Sea Tow Foundation provides a variety of resources for boaters about all things boating safety, including information boaters need to safely and properly use traditional flares as well as electronic flares. Visit their website today.

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Life jackets for children come in different sizes

Styles are designed to fit the child’s body weight, for comfort, and vary depending upon water activity. The U.S. Coast Guard requires all children under the age of 13 to wear a life jacket whenever they are on board a boat that’s underway. Kids grow quickly, so it’s important to check that last season’s jacket still fits correctly before heading back out on the water.

1. Is the jacket U.S. Coast Guard approved? Check the label inside the life jacket to make sure it is, in fact, a Coast Guard-approved jacket and that it’s rated for the boating activity you’ll be participating in.
2. Does the jacket fit? The child’s size should fit into the weight restrictions and chest size measurements listed on the jacket label.
3. Can the child move comfortably? With the buckles and/or zippers fastened, the child should be able to move their arms and body easily as if they were swimming.
4. Is the fit below the chin? Have the child raise their arms over their head and tug on the jacket from behind to make sure that it doesn’t go above the chin. If it does, the life jacket is too big.

Once you think you have found the perfect match, have your child practice wearing the life jacket in shallow water with adult supervision. This will help your little one become more comfortable with it being on because just like using a seatbelt – life jackets only work if you wear them.

Interested in learning more?

The Sea Tow Foundation provides a variety of resources for boaters about all things boating safety, including a special guide on how to fit a life jacket to a child. Visit their website today.

The post How to Properly Fit a Child in a Life Jacket appeared first on Sea Tow.