Totally depends on the beach. We have been to the outer banks and it was really rough; not full like jackets by the speedo square vest things or the ones with the arms and the chest floats at all times unless on the blanket

Cape cod; very shallow/long entry and we did no life vests, went to beaches on the other side of the cape and it was a very quick drop off and yes they needed the vests

Unless there is a very long and shallow entry I am nervous at the beach but our kids are young (5 and 2)

Not sure where everyone is going to the beach but I would say almost 50% of the kids under 5 at Bethany last summer wore life jackets while on the beach.

In a swimming pool yes until they can swim. At a beach no as long as an adult is right there and fully engaged.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I live in California. The Pacific Ocean has dangerous wave patterns in a lot of spots and it is not even safe to be near the water sometimes. They have waves I had never even heard of before moving here, like sneaker waves that come out of nowhere and can sweep a kid away. People who live here are very aware of these dangers and don't even let kids in the water at all when there is a risk that they will be in effect. This is not really the case on the east coast. And, the people who make their kids wear life jackets to sit and play in the sand sound totally nuts (and I am very safety conscious). I can't even imagine how uncomfortable that is. If your non-swimming child could take off and run into the ocean before you noticed, you probably should back up from the water another 10 yards at least. Also, do kids really just run into the ocean?

Lastly, the ocean (anywhere) is dangerous enough for people who don't swim that there are probably a lot of circumstances in which your non-swimmer would not be saved by a life jacket (in big waves with undertow). I kind of think making them think it's ok to get in with the life reserver might be more dangerous than making going near the water (or farther than up to their ankles with an adult holding their hand) off limits.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. We wear them to the aquarium, too. Can't ever be too cautious with small children.

I love you.

Not on beach but, yes, if on a boat and, yes, for little kids round my backyard pool for my kids and anyother kid.

Anonymous wrote:In my personal opinion, many of you are saying this but you live near a beach and most likely go there often. That being said.. I live no where close to a beach and only go to a beach once a year/once every other year. I've gotten knocked down hard by waves before and have had trouble getting back up from them.. I think it'd be even harder for a child who isn't use to it to be able to stand up easily. Therefore I think wearing a life vest of some sort would keep a child safe regardless of where they're at. Granted I think if they're just playing in the sand and you know they aren't going to go into the water then they shouldn't have it on.. But the ocean is too large.. So many kids get pulled under and taken out into sea and never seen again until it's too late. I'd much rather opt for a life vest in the water so that way I'd have time to grab my child before they're gone.. I'd rather look stupid making my child wear a life vest rather than losing my child forever because I didn't!

So many kids what? I lived on the beach in fl for 12 years. Never heard of a single case of this.

Totally depends on the child. My eldest? When he was 3, he never would have even considered going into the water without me. My youngest? At age 4, we were at a local fairfax county park having a picnic, and he was throwing stones into the water. Then without any notice, on a 60 degree day, just jumped into the water. Couldn't swim.

He's too unpredictable to risk it.

Yes. We wear them to the aquarium, too. Can't ever be too cautious with small children.

Nope, we don't wear them on the beach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are 2 and 3. They wear Puddle Jumpers (coast-guard approved life vests) whenever we are at the pool or beach. It's the first thing they put on and the last thing they take off.

Until they can jump in the pool and swim to the side without trouble, I intend to keep this rule.

Just get them into ISR... my 20mo old can jump into the pool and swim to the side and even call for help when floating on her back.

Couldn't agree more. My 3 yr old was jumping into the deep end and swimming to the side of the pool last summer.

In my personal opinion, many of you are saying this but you live near a beach and most likely go there often. That being said.. I live no where close to a beach and only go to a beach once a year/once every other year. I've gotten knocked down hard by waves before and have had trouble getting back up from them.. I think it'd be even harder for a child who isn't use to it to be able to stand up easily. Therefore I think wearing a life vest of some sort would keep a child safe regardless of where they're at. Granted I think if they're just playing in the sand and you know they aren't going to go into the water then they shouldn't have it on.. But the ocean is too large.. So many kids get pulled under and taken out into sea and never seen again until it's too late. I'd much rather opt for a life vest in the water so that way I'd have time to grab my child before they're gone.. I'd rather look stupid making my child wear a life vest rather than losing my child forever because I didn't!

Weirdest question ever. I grew up in Florida. No, they don't need to wear them at the beach. If you go on a boat, then yes absolutely.

Think this through: A life jacket is not really going to help your young child on the beach. If you are not near enough to them to catch them going in the water, the danger is that they will run knee-deep in the waves and get knocked over and tumbled. The waves will tumble them and they will get mouths full of water regardless of the life jackets. So no, I do not make my kids wear life jackets on the beach. I do make sure that I am holding hands or in arms reach of them if they are in the water (weak swimmers, under 5).

Also, regarding those hating on the poster who goes from 10-4 -- what do you want her to do? Pay thousands of dollars for a week at a beach to sit in the house during the main part of the day? You can use hats, rash guards, umbrellas, sunscreen, and a lunch break and your kids will be well-enough protected while you all enjoy the beach.

No. Never