Boating Safely With Kids

If you want to spend some time with your family while being out in nature, you might want to consider boats. Particularly during the summer months, many families like to get their boats out on the water and this means taking the kids for a sail or a cruise. However, boating with kids presents some challenges because you want to keep them safe, while also making sure they have a fun and rewarding time.

At L&M Marine, LLC, we want all our patrons to stay safe on the water, which is why we’ve created this guide to boating with children. If you still haven’t found that perfect boat for you and your family, visit us at our location in Stapleton, Alabama.

Teach Kids to Swim Early

According to the American Association of Pediatrics, children can be taught swimming from as early as the age of 1, when you can take introductory courses that encourage you and your baby to be comfortable together in the water. More formal swimming lessons can take place around the age of 4. The earlier your kids learn to swim, the more comfortable they’ll be in the water.

Teach kids what to do in certain water conditions such as riptides: swim parallel to the shore and perpendicular to the riptide until you’re free of it, then swim at an angle towards the shore. Always keep in mind the type of waterway you’ll be visiting when you’re educating your kids. Ocean waters present different challenges than rivers.

Get Them Used to Life Jackets

The most important items on a boat with kids are life jackets. When purchasing one, there are three features to look out for: head floatation, a crotch strap and self-righting capability. The head floatation helps keep your head above water. A crotch strap prevents you from falling out of the jacket. The self-righting capability keeps swimmers in the right direction. You’ll want to test the jacket somewhere first like the shallow end of a pool.

Try to make your child as comfortable in the life jacket as possible. Enforce the rule that life jackets should be worn at all times while you’re boating, starting at the dock, and don’t bend the rules. Wear a life jacket yourself to demonstrate good safety practices to them. Kids will be more likely to do something if the adults around them do it, too. Attach a marine whistle to every child’s life jacket and instruct them to blow on it repeatedly until help arrives should they fall in the water or see that something is wrong with the boat.

Establish Safety Rules

Safety is an important part of any trip you undertake, especially if you have children with you. All kids need to be briefed on all the rules of the boat as well as common safety practices. Ensure that children know not to sit on the edge of the boat or try to reach over to grab anything that falls overboard, and that they should not touch the boat’s controls or interfere with the boat operator while he or she is engaged in operating the boat.

Explain to the children that running on the boat can cause them to fall and hurt themselves. Explaining why the boat’s rules exist can help kids to understand and follow the rules better. Make sure that you and other adults on board also obey the rules, like wearing life jackets and keeping your hands and feet inside the boat, to set a good example for children to follow.

Children should know where essential safety supplies are, like a throwable life ring, the first aid kit and the fire extinguisher. You should tour the boat with them before you leave the dock so they know where everything is and where to be careful not to trip. Review the boat safety rules with kids before leaving the dock, too, so that they’re fresh in young minds.

Teach Them About Marine Life

Most bodies of water have a host of marine life, some of which can be dangerous for humans. For example, if you’re boating in the ocean, make sure they know not to touch jellyfish even if they’re dead on the shore, since they can still sting.

Children should be informed about staying away from coral when in the water as it can scrape skin. This is also a great time to teach your kids about the importance of preserving marine life. They shouldn’t pollute the water with trash. If you’re more of a river dweller, then you probably have some knowledge on local fish species and when they spawn. Teach your kids how to spot areas where fish nests might be so they don’t accidentally trod on them.

Keeping Them Warm

Children are much more likely to get cold when they’re wet than adults, and it can happen much faster, too. Cold kids are unhappy kids. Even worse, they’re more prone to developing hypothermia. Pack blankets and jackets to wrap them up in, especially when boating off the coast where breezes and winds can pick up.

Even when it’s sunny outside, kids can get cold quickly after swimming. Ensure that you pack at least one change of clothes for every child so that if their clothing gets wet, they can quickly dry off and dress in warm, dry clothing. Pack more towels than you think you’ll need, too—kids will find a way to get wet if it’s possible!

Reduce Sun Exposure

Sun protection is important for everyone aboard a boat. Make sure to use SPF 50 sunscreen on the kids, particularly after swimming. Let your kids see you apply sunscreen to your own face and neck and any exposed skin so that they understand the importance of sun protection for everyone, no matter the age.

You can let kids choose their own sunglasses in a style they will love to wear, but check to see that the lenses are rated for UV protection. Long-sleeved shirts, ideally a neoprene style for swimming, can protect their skin both from the sun and from chafing by their life jacket. 

We hope this guide helps you and your family stay safer on the water. If you’re still looking for the perfect boat for you and your family, visit L&M Marine at our location in Stapleton, AL. We’ll give you a tour of our inventory and our expert staff will address all your queries and concerns. If you’re looking for boats for sale near Mobile, AL, or Pensacola, FL, get in touch with us today!