Life jacket use legislation and tool kit
Develop an advocacy tool kit, including model laws, to support adoption and implementation of legislation mandating life jacket use.
Recommendations Addressed
Require that everyone wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on or in any human-propelled vessel. Human-propelled vessels are powered only by its occupants (e.g., canoes, kayaks, rafts, stand-up paddle board (SUPs), etc.)
Require that all individuals under the age of 18 wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets on all vessels under 26 feet in length, except when below decks or in enclosed compartments.
Require that states adopt or exceed the minimum federal age requirements for U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket wear for vessels under 26 feet in length (currently with any child under 13 years old).
Integrate education that meets the national minimum life jacket educational standards at watercraft point of sale or rental services.