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Old 10-11-2010, 02:12 PM   #5
koliver
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City: Saltspring Island
Vessel Name: Retreat
Vessel Model: C&L 44
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,663
RE: Life Jackets for Kids

Our kids boated from -9 months old. Each had a PFD that was designed to float them upright or on their back, and was sized appropriately. The PFDs all worked. Each kid fell in the water once and once only. That sudden cold didn't need to happen a second time and each kid was much more careful after falling in. That was at 2 1/2 or 3 yrs old for each of them. They also had a "docking spot" which after the first time, they stayed in until told they could leave it. It wasn't down below, but was up in the cockpit (sailboats) where we could still keep an eye on them, but out of the way.
Each has (independently) told us that growing up boating was the best! each has friends who have come boating with us, all of those friends agree that our kids were the luckiest to have those experiences. Each is striving towards getting their own boat and continuing the cycle.
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