School me on kid’s personal floatation devices

[HNL2LHC]

We have our first set of family coming into Havasu from Hawaii for a short vacation. Hoping to get out on the water for at least one of the days. I am not up to speed on the requirements for kids on the water. I figure that I should figure out what is needed before they arrive later this week. There are three kids not 100% sure on the ages at this time. I know one is 17. If I have to guess the other two are about 13 & 11. What are the requirements as far a life-vests while on the lake? I am looking for the minimum requirements and if you have any ideas of how you go beyond that would be great as well.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT - Kids are the following age, height and weight if that matters.
16 - 5’10” 130 lbs
13 - 5’6” 145 lbs
9 - 4’6” 95 lbs

 

[4Waters]

In California 13 and over are not required to wear a LV

 

[HNL2LHC]

We are going to be in Havasu so if we stay on the AZ side we are good? LOL. In all seriousness how does that work? California being on one side of the lake and all that? Also where would be a good place to pick up a decent quality LV? And are there any brands that are go to or ones to stay away from?

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

I would get the life vests from Costco.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Our kids are decent swimmers, but under 15 they just stayed in vests underway or "dipping". Legal and comfortable may be two different things. I'd think being island kids they are pretty comfortable around water though.

 

[BoatCop]

Under Arizona, California, and Federal (Coast Guard) Law, children aged 12 and under are required to be wearing a properly sized, serviceable PFD, whenever the vessel is underway*. Under California and Federal Law (but NOT AZ), if the child is completely contained in an interior compartment within the boat (designed for passenger occupancy), or if tethered in a harness on a sailboat, or in an emergency rescue situation, a PFD is not required.

*Underway means "Not moored, anchored or aground". A vessel drifting with the engines secured, not making way, is still Underway.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Our kids are decent swimmers, but under 15 they just stayed in vests underway or "dipping". Legal and comfortable may be two different things. I'd think being island kids they are pretty comfortable around water though.

Yeah, that is the case they are good swimmers. I will also look into Costco. Does Sam’s have them too? Getting as much info to formulate a game plan that includes the parents. Also want to be sure that I am in agreement. I don’t want anything to happen and this could be the first of many to come on over.

Also what is the age on the bow and being alone?

 

[HNL2LHC]

Under Arizona, California, and Federal (Coast Guard) Law, children aged 12 and under are required to be wearing a properly sized, serviceable PFD, whenever the vessel is underway*. Under California and Federal Law (but NOT AZ), if the child is completely contained in an interior compartment within the boat (designed for passenger occupancy), or if tethered in a harness on a sailboat, or in an emergency rescue situation, a PFD is not required.

*Underway means "Not moored, anchored or aground". A vessel drifting with the engines secured, not making way, is still Underway.

Awesome!!! Thank you sir!!!

 

[BoatCop]

We are going to be in Havasu so if we stay on the AZ side we are good? LOL. In all seriousness how does that work? California being on one side of the lake and all that? Also where would be a good place to pick up a decent quality LV? And are there any brands that are go to or ones to stay away from?

As far as the variance in laws between Arizona and California (and Arizona/Nevada - Arizona/Utah) Interstate Compacts allow Courts to have jurisdiction over their specific State Laws anywhere on the Lake(s) up to the historical high water mark on the opposite shoreline. Peace Officers on the water have the same authority to enforce their State Laws anywhere on the concurrent jurisdiction waters, and have Law Enforcement Authority up to 25 air miles inland into the State on the opposite shoreline.

The compacts also state that no action may be taken on conduct which is legal in the state in which it occurs, plus it does not authorize conduct that is illegal in either State. What this means is that while it is NOT illegal for a 13 year old to operate a watercraft alone on Arizona Waters, such operation is still illegal on concurrent jurisdiction waters, as California requires the operator of a vessel to be a minimum of 16 years old. That means that LE can stop and advise that the operation is illegal, but can't take formal charges, unless it can be proven that the conduct occurred entirely within that State's waters.

There's no age limit for being on the bow, except that no persons shall ride on the decked over bow of a vessel, above wakeless speed, unless there is seating, designed by the manufacturer, for passengers at all speeds. (Some fishing seats on the front of pontoon boats and bass boats state "Not for use while the vessel is in motion" or something to that effect.

 

[shueman]

All kids wear PFDs on our boats if under 18

 

[TomD]

Every kid is different, just make sure it fits tight across the chest/mid section so it doesn't slide up.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Daughters are good swimmers but always in vest. Don’t care what the law is until they’re 18 I’ll make the rules. Drowning happens way too easy especially in larger groups. Why change your whole life over a simple flotation device?



I won’t go into details but I’ve lost a family member to drowning and 100% having a vest on would’ve prevented the outcome.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Funny thing....Kids have to wear flotation devices at the river if they are within X feet of the water. At the beach, they don't have to wear a thing. Yeah, a kid can get caught in the flowing river, but at the beach he can get pulled out to sea.

We have a foster child right now that is 5 years old. The poor kid hasn't been exposed to anything. I'm even trying to get him up to speed with riding a bicycle. Anyways, in our household, knowing how to swim is imperative. He's almost there, but it wouldn't have happened without my friends helping me on this one. My son, had no fear and was and is determined to do anything he sets his mind to. The foster child, has a lot of quit in him. I grew up in a sink or swim household literally! I'm learning so much trying trying to raise a child with a different expectancy out of life.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Funny thing....Kids have to wear flotation devices at the river if they are within X feet of the water. At the beach, they don't have to wear a thing. Yeah, a kid can get caught in the flowing river, but at the beach he can get pulled out to sea.

We have a foster child right now that is 5 years old. The poor kid hasn't been exposed to anything. I'm even trying to get him up to speed with riding a bicycle. Anyways, in our household, knowing how to swim is imperative. He's almost there, but it wouldn't have happened without my friends helping me on this one. My son, had no fear and was and is determined to do anything he sets his mind to. The foster child, has a lot of quit in him. I grew up in a sink or swim household literally! I'm learning so much trying trying to raise a child with a different expectancy out of life.

My wife and I were both competition swimmers (she was a level or two above me, national and international stuff). We both spent summers in highschool teaching swim lessons and life guarding. "Rocks and Stars", rocks were the kids that sank, or were afraid of the water. It was actually really good for us to see the spectrum, and not let us take for granted our abilities. It also kept us sharp on how quickly a simple thing can turn scary. Our kids aren't the swimmers we were, but are capable. They also know CPR...because you don't know who will need it or when.

 

[Happy Smitty]

Good to know. Sounds like my kids are almost out of life vests. I've been dealing with some nerve damage issue. I'm thinking about vesting up. My medical maintenance cost is starting to catch up with my hobbies.