Life Jackets: Your Questions

Go by weight, not age, and read the label. The U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) groups children's life jackets by weight: infant (up to 33 pounds), child (33 to 55 pounds) and youth (55 to 88 pounds). The AAP (opens in a new tab) says child approvals are based on weight, so check the user weight on the label. Adult life jackets may not work for children. Buy for the size your child is now. Try the and read how to choose a life jacket.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab)

Snug, with every strap and buckle fastened. The U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says a foam life jacket that fits will be snug and will not ride up above the wearer's chin or ears, and suggests trying it on in the water to make sure your airway stays clear. The AAP (opens in a new tab) adds that a child's jacket should not be loose. If it rides up past the chin or ears when you are in the water, it does not fit. See the life jacket fit test.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab)

It means the life jacket has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and meets the federal requirement to carry a wearable life jacket for each person on board. Approved devices carry a label that says so, along with the user weight range and the activities it is meant for, according to the AAP (opens in a new tab) and the Coast Guard (opens in a new tab). Look for the label before you buy, and match it to your activity. See life jacket labels explained.

Sources: healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab), uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)

Older labels use Types I, II, III and V; newer labels show a performance Level such as 50, 70, 100, 150 or 275. The U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says the Level number is the minimum buoyancy in newtons. Some devices are life jackets that turn the wearer face up; others are buoyancy aids that need the wearer to help keep their face out of the water. Higher levels suit rougher water and longer waits for rescue. A Type IV is a thrown cushion or ring. See labels explained.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab)

Yes. Federal law requires children under 13 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on a moving boat, unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin, according to the Coast Guard (opens in a new tab). State laws can differ and apply on state waters. In New York, children under 12 on boats 65 feet or shorter must wear one, and from November 1 to May 1 everyone on a boat under 21 feet must wear one (NY State Parks (opens in a new tab)). See life jackets for babies and children.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab)

Yes, there are U.S. Coast Guard-approved infant life jackets for babies up to 33 pounds (Coast Guard (opens in a new tab)). Water Safety USA (opens in a new tab) says infants and young children should wear one with a collar for head support and a strap between the legs, sized to fit now rather than to grow into. A life jacket does not replace an adult's arms: keep babies within arm's reach and in the water only with you. See life jackets for babies and kids.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), watersafetyusa.org (opens in a new tab)

For the right person, yes, but not for weak swimmers or children. The U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says inflatable life jackets are not appropriate for weak swimmers or non-swimmers, and its FAQ (opens in a new tab) says they are generally meant for people over 80 pounds and must be worn by someone over 16 to count toward carriage rules. They need care: the cylinder must be full and the indicators green. Foam jackets need less upkeep. See inflatable life jackets.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)

Only if its label says it is U.S. Coast Guard approved. The AAP (opens in a new tab) says puddle-jumper-style vests may be safe to use if the label states Coast Guard approval, but blow-up water wings, toys, rafts and air mattresses should never be used as life jackets. Check the label for approval and weight range before your child wears it. See water wings, floaties and swim vests.

Source: healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab)

As long as it stays in good condition, so check it every season. The U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says foam life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once a year, and waterlogged, faded or damaged ones should be thrown out. Inflatables must be maintained following the maker's instructions. New York says a usable life jacket must be free of rot, tears, punctures and waterlogging, with every strap and buckle working (NY State Parks (opens in a new tab)). See how to choose a life jacket.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab)

Yes. The AAP (opens in a new tab) says weak or non-swimmers should wear life jackets at a pool or water park, and the CDC (opens in a new tab) says weaker swimmers of all ages can use them around pools and natural water. Use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved jacket, not floaties or foam toys, and keep watching: a life jacket is never a substitute for supervision. See public pool safety.

Sources: healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab), cdc.gov (opens in a new tab), healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab)

Yes, once you paddle beyond a swimming, surfing or bathing area. The U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says a stand-up paddleboard is then considered a vessel, so the life jacket rules apply. New York reminds paddlers that they are boaters too, and that they must carry a properly sized approved life jacket and a sound signaling device such as a whistle (NY State Parks (opens in a new tab)). Wear it rather than strapping it on: Minnesota's DNR (opens in a new tab) says never to strap a life jacket to a canoe or kayak. See paddleboard safety.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab), dnr.state.mn.us (opens in a new tab)

Because falls into water are sudden, cold and exhausting, and strong swimmers drown too. In 2024, 87% of people who drowned in U.S. boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket, where use was known (U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab)). The Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says to always wear one while boating, regardless of swimming skill. Cold water can cause gasping and loss of breathing control in the first minutes. See cold water shock.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), redcross.org (opens in a new tab), weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

Free loaner programs can help. The BoatUS Foundation (opens in a new tab), a nonprofit, says families can borrow properly fitting children's life jackets at more than 575 loaner locations nationwide; staff fit your child, and you return the jacket after the day or weekend. Call ahead to check which sizes a location has. See life jacket loaner stations.

Source: boatus.org (opens in a new tab)

Pull out every life jacket you own and check three things: the U.S. Coast Guard approval label and weight range, the condition of the foam, straps and buckles, and the fit on the person who will wear it. Throw out any that are torn, faded or waterlogged, as the Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) advises. Hang the by the door and use the to replace what doesn't fit. See the fit test.

Source: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)