Video: Georgia Child PFD Law

Rob

I think we can all agree life jackets help save lives, right? What rules are there in Georgia for children wearing life jackets?

RFC Jessica Spencer

If you’re under the age of 13 and you’re riding in a moving vessel, you’re required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket.

Rob

Everybody under 13.

RFC Spencer

As long as you’re under 13, you have to wear that life jacket. Now, if you’re in an enclosed cabin on a boat, the law doesn’t apply to you. You don’t have to wear one.

Rob

Do you think there’s a misconception out there? What do you say when you drive up to people that don’t have it?

RFC Spencer

When I drive up to people, especially when they have their kids in the boats and don’t have the life jackets on, I just stress the importance. That if the child was thrown from the boat not expecting it, could they react quick enough and be able to swim and things like that, and how important it is to wear the life jacket.

Rob

Is there an equivalence for life jackets that maybe people could understand with cars? Make sense?

RFC Spencer

Sure. A life jacket, in a sense, is almost like a seatbelt, maybe, in a car. It’s definitely one of the things that’s going to save you if you ever get thrown from your boat.

Rob

So, take-home message: wear a life jacket. For everybody, it’s the law if you’re under 13.

RFC Spencer

Correct.

Rob

OK.