Children's life jackets

All children should wear a life jacket, when they are in any open area of a vessel. During an incident you may not have the opportunity to help children.

It should not be worn when a child is within a deck-house, cabin or secure enclosed space as it could stop them making a safe exit.

A life jacket must be securely zipped and clipped at all times to be effective. If not appropriately fitted, a child may slip out of the life jacket when in the water, or may be forced into a dangerous face down position when in the water.

Choosing a child's life jacket

• If you’re not sure which lifejacket level your child needs, answer some quick questions to know before you go.
• Do not compromise on quality.
• It should be appropriate for your child's weight, fit them securely and not move around in any way that may impair its performance.
• A crotch strap fitting will prevent the jacket bunching up around the child's neck and will prevent your child falling out of the bottom.
• Choose a life jacket level 100 that complies with the requirements for all waters and will support your child in a face up position if in the water in calm water conditions.
• Remember that a life jacket level 50 or 50S may not roll your child into a face up position in calm water conditions should they be unconscious.
• Match the weight range of the jacket with the weight of your child.
• Check that it complies with the appropriate standard for the type of life jacket being used - see Adult life jackets for more information.

It is extremely important that a life jacket is fitted correctly, as per examples provided below.