Life Jacket Loaner Stations and Public Rescue Equipment

A life jacket loaner station is a rack, box or kiosk at a lake, river, marina or boat launch where anyone can borrow a life jacket for free and return it when they're done. Stations help people who arrive without one, or with the wrong size for a child. A community group can help start one by working with the landowner, using a state program if one exists, and committing to inspect and restock the jackets.

Why life jackets at the water's edge matter

Most people who drown while boating or at lakes weren't wearing a life jacket.

• At U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and rivers in 2024, 91% of people who drowned were not wearing life jackets (opens in a new tab). Most (87%) were adults.
• Where life jacket use was known, 87% of people who drowned in 2024 boating incidents (opens in a new tab) weren't wearing one, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Paddlecraft (canoes, kayaks and paddleboards) accounted for 26% of boating deaths in 2024.
• The CDC says life jackets reduce the risk of drowning while boating for people of all ages and swimming abilities (opens in a new tab), and that children should wear them for all activities in and around natural water.

91%

How loaner stations work

Washington State Parks runs one of the largest programs, and it's a useful model. Visitors can borrow an infant, youth or adult life jacket (opens in a new tab) for the day or weekend at no charge and return it to the same station. The state has more than 180 stations at marinas, launch sites and state parks, and works with the Washington Drowning Prevention Network.

The idea is simple: make the safe choice the easy one, right where people get into the water.

Where they help most

• Boat launches and marinas, where people head out in motorboats, canoes and kayaks.
• Paddling and fishing spots, including rental areas.
• Popular lake and river access points with no lifeguards.

Washington's program limits stations to water-access sites used for boating and paddling; sites mainly used for swimming aren't eligible. If you're thinking about a swimming beach, the better answer is usually lifeguards and a designated swim area.

Permissions and partners

You'll need the landowner's permission before you install anything.

1. Find out who owns or manages the site: a state or local park, a town, a marina, a utility or a federal agency.
2. Ask whether a program already exists. Many states run loaner programs through their parks or boating agency. In Washington, the state boating program provides life jackets in a variety of sizes and a durable sign (opens in a new tab) with fitting directions in English and Spanish, and replaces jackets as needed.
3. Agree on responsibilities in writing. In Washington, hosts must provide the jackets to the public at no cost, maintain storage and signage, inspect jackets regularly and send an annual summary of approximate use.
4. Ask your local fire department or marine unit for advice on placement.

Rules on liability, permits and placement vary by place. Ask the landowner and your local government; this isn't legal advice.

Choosing and fitting the jackets

• Coast Guard-approved, in every size. Stock infant, child and adult sizes. The Coast Guard says adult-size life jackets may not work for children (opens in a new tab).
• Foam, not inflatable, for the general public. The Coast Guard says inflatable life jackets are not appropriate for weak swimmers or non-swimmers.
• Infants and young children need a jacket with a collar for head support and a strap between the legs, sized to fit now, according to Water Safety USA (opens in a new tab).
• A fit sign. Post simple instructions at the station: a properly fitted foam life jacket is snug and doesn't ride up above the chin or ears, as the Coast Guard describes.

Our fit poster is ready to print and laminate for a station:

Visitors can also use our Life jacket finder to choose the right type before they arrive.

Maintenance and signage

A station is only as good as its upkeep. Based on Washington's host requirements:

• Inspect jackets regularly for rips, tears, holes and mold.
• Throw away any jacket that isn't serviceable, and replace it.
• Keep the storage clean and dry, and the sign readable.
• Keep a simple log of how often jackets are used, and share it with the landowner or program each year.
• Name a backup volunteer for when the main volunteer is away.

Public rescue equipment

Some lakes, piers and pools also have public rescue equipment, such as ring buoys on posts or reaching poles. If you're asked about adding it, the principle is the same: permission, upkeep and clear signs.

Equipment like this supports the safest kind of bystander rescue. Minnesota DNR teaches people to reach with an object such as a rope or ladder, or to throw one end of a rope or something that will float (opens in a new tab), rather than going in. National Weather Service Tallahassee notes that even lifeguards only attempt a rip current rescue using a flotation device (opens in a new tab). Pair any equipment with a sign that says "Call 911" and gives the location name. Our guide to reach or throw, don't go explains how bystanders should use it.

What you can do today

• Check whether your state parks or boating agency runs a life jacket loaner program, and where its stations are.
• Visit your nearest boat launch and look: is there a loaner station or rescue equipment?
• If not, find out who manages the site and ask whether they'd consider one.
• Bring a properly fitted life jacket for every child on your next lake or boat trip; see how to choose a life jacket.
• Learn the life jacket fit test.