Oh, and I forgot to note (in the story I mentioned before), the child was within a few feet of his parent when it happened.

When I first moved to California I read about a child splashing around in the waves (not even to his waist) who was carried out in a rip tide and drowned. I sense some folks think they're cool for 'not even thinking about putting a jacket on their kids' but unless a kid is a very strong swimmmer and on a beach that never has rip tides, I'd err on the side of caution. There's a lot on the line.

I'm on my second trip to the beach this summer. I haven't seen one child in a life jacket. A couple in those arm floaters, which I think are ridiculous for the ocean anyway.

Anonymous wrote:If you have non swimming children, an adult needs to be within arms length of them AT ALL TIMES when they are near water. No, mine didn't wear life vests when we were on the sand playing in ankle deep ocean water because one of us was within arms length, if not holding hands or carrying, them.

We did this too. We always stayed very close (arm's length), though I think it is good to let them feel the waves and, occasionally, fall down. I never thought of having them wear a life jacket.

We have our under 5 in a life jacket when in the ocean. The conditions change quickly and we had an older child caught in a rip tide. We were able to reach her but it was a good reminder to know the water you are swimming/playing in.

Pp that spends the day at beach with kids. I did it as a child, am no worse for the wear, wonderful memories. I slather them in sunscreen like a crazy nut. With that said, you have your way over over parenting and sheltering your kids I take a different approach. Doesn't make either one the right approach, just different.

OP Puddle Jumpers are really cool. They are as safe as a life jacket but most people won't recognize them as such so you won't feel people are judging you for being overprotective.

Yes, when we spent a week at the lake with a non-swimmer, he wore a life jacket whenever he was near the water. But he water was pretty deep, also he ran around on the docks. I don't think I'd have had him do that by an ocean beach with a shallow entry.

Life jackets on the beach is a rule for all the under 5's at the beach house in my husband's family. However, it's on a lake in Quebec, and the temp seldom even hits 80.

We just spent a week on the beach with our 2yo and we put him in a life jacket for the water and not on the beach. He's too light for a puddle jumper (which is for 30-50 pounds). Whenever he was in the surf we were right there and often holding his hand. He's a pretty cautious kid, but there were strong waves every so often.

I've got a 3 and 5 y/o too. We went to Florida last year and are going again this year. It didn't even occur to me to put life jackets while we're at the beach... It's not like they'd run out deep into the water.

At the beach? No. We stay near him at all times. When we stayed in a cabin with a river about 30 feet from the front door, he had to wear one whenever he went outside (he was 2).

I've never put them on my kids at the beach. Why would they need a life vest when they are sitting or playing in the sand?? Am I missing something?

Absolutely wear the life jackets. Don't forget matching helmets and shin guards.

Seriously, I have 3-year-old twins who can't swim and it would never occur to me to put a life vest on them at the beach. At the pool they wear arm floaties, because it's possible to go from the edge of the pool to six feet deep in a matter of seconds. At the beach, getting in over your head is a gradual proccess, and my kids are either playing in the surf with one parent or sitting in the sand with the other. Don't nature-proof your kid; supervise them.

Anonymous wrote:If you have non swimming children, an adult needs to be within arms length of them AT ALL TIMES when they are near water. No, mine didn't wear life vests when we were on the sand playing in ankle deep ocean water because one of us was within arms length, if not holding hands or carrying, them.

This is pretty much our philosophy. I wouldn't say we stay within one single arm's length when playing in ankle-deep water in calm surf, but certainly we stay within 4-6 feet with and never take our eyes off of them. We don't use lifejackets unless we go out on a boat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally over thinking it. We live at the beach over the summer. Go everyday from 10-4 usually. I have a 1.5 yr old and 4.5 yr old. Neither wear a lift vest at all times. With that said if your younger one is a runner with zero common sense, maybe you need it. Most of the kids that have to wear at all times are wild beasts that can't be controlled

You're doing it WRONG woman.

You're supposed to go BEFORE 10am and AFTER 4pm.

Seriously. She should be more worried about skin cancer then life vests. Yikes.