Charting a new course: What if wearing lifejackets/PFDs were the law?
For generations, wearing a lifejacket or PFD (personal flotation device) has been a personal choice for Canadian boaters—a matter of common sense rather than compliance.
Imagine a Canada where strapping on a lifejacket or PFD isn’t just a smart water safety tip, but a federal mandate. From our rugged coastal waters to quiet inland lakes, how would we as Canadians react to such a massive cultural shift? What would the headlines throughout Canada and the rest of the world look like?
You might see something like this:
OTTAWA, Canada, January 2, 2032—Five years after the landmark “Always On” Water Safety Act was officially enacted, Canada’s waterways have undergone a dramatic and lifesaving transformation. Since the federal mandate made wearing a lifejacket or PFD compulsory for anyone on the water, both drowning incidents and near-drowning emergencies have plummeted nationwide, marking a new era for safe aquatic recreation.
Did you know?
Not wearing a lifejacket or PFD is a major contributing factor in many boating-related deaths. Think of a lifejacket or PFD as your seatbelt for the water; it’s your best defence if an unexpected situation arises. The evidence is compelling: eight out of 10 people throughout Canada who drown in boating incidents were not wearing one!
Lifejacket: The term
- When you see the term “lifejacket” in water safety information, it’s often used as a general term for all approved safety vests designed for the water, including what are technically known as PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices).
- Many organizations use the term “Lifejacket” to keep their safety messages clear and easy to understand for everyone, but it’s important to know the difference.
Lifejackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs)
- Lifejackets are usually bulkier and offer more flotation; they are designed to turn a person face-up in the water, even if they are unconscious.
- A personal flotation device (PFD) will keep a person floating but not necessarily face-up. In addition, a PFD is lighter and less bulky than a Lifejacket.
Approval label: Look for it!
- When selecting a lifejacket or PFD, always check for a label indicating approval by one of the following authorities: Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard or Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Choose and wear a lifejacket and PFDs properly
- Wear a properly fitted lifejacket or PFD at all times when you are in a boat, canoe, kayak, sailboat, as well as when windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, etc. Remember, as an adult, you are a role model for children and should wear a Lifejacket or PFD as well.
- Lifejackets or PFDs for children have weight limits. However, adult sizes are based on chest measurements and body weight.
- Make sure the lifejacket or PFD is comfortable and light so it will be worn.
- Bright colours like red, orange and yellow offer the best visibility and stand out most effectively.
- Note: The fit should be snug; for children, it should not ride up over their ears when they are placed in the water; check the space between the lifejacket/PFD and the child’s shoulders … if it’s more than about three finger widths—the lifejacket/PFD is too big.
- It’s crucial to buckle or zip the lifejacket or PFD up every time and use all its safety straps … you could slip out of a lifejacket or PFD that’s too big or not buckled or zipped up properly.
Lifejackets and PFDs—regularly inspect and look for the following:
- Faded or brittle straps.
- Broken buckles or zippers.
- Tears and rips in the fabric.
- Loss of buoyancy (it shouldn’t feel waterlogged).
- Ensure there is a whistle—all lifejackets should be equipped with a whistle.
Lifejackets and PFDs—take care in maintaining them
- Replace any damaged or worn-out lifejackets or PFDs immediately.
- Store them in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Lifejackets and PFDs—when to wear them
- To ensure the safety of young children and weak swimmers, lifejackets and PFDs are a must whenever they are in, on, or around water. Remember, even with a lifejacket or PFD, constant direct supervision and staying within arm’s reach are critically important.
- Everyone should always wear lifejackets or PFDs when riding in a boat or other type of water-related craft, etc.
- Remember, inflatable toys such as water rings and blow-up rings are not safety devices!
- Canadian laws require that recreational boats have one properly fitted lifejacket or PFD for each person on the boat, but there’s no law requiring people to wear the lifejackets or PFDs. Nevertheless, lifejackets and PFDs only work if you wear them.
- Also, if you’re visiting somewhere where you’ll be near water, bring a lifejacket or PFD. The place you’re visiting may not have a lifejacket or PFD that fits.
Lifejackets and PFDs—special features for young children
For young children, their lifejacket or PFD should also have the following special features:
- A large collar (for head support).
- A strap that buckles between the legs so the Lifejacket or PFD will not slip over the child’s head.
- A pealess whistle; attach a plastic pealess whistle to the safety vest if it doesn’t already have one. It’s also important to teach young children how to use the whistle effectively in case of an emergency.
- A waist strap that can adjust so as to make the lifejacket or PFD fit snugly.
- Tie and/or a sturdy plastic zipper.
- Bright colour and reflective tape to help you see your child in the water.
No Canadian-approved infant-sized lifejackets and PFDs
- It’s important to note that no Canadian-approved lifejackets or PFDs exist for infants weighing less than nine kg (20 pounds). There are “infant-sized” lifejackets and PFDs on the market, but there are no Canadian safety standards for these devices.
- Safety experts recommend waiting until a child is at least nine kg (20 pounds) and can properly fit into a Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD before taking them on a boat.
- Most babies will reach nine kg (20 pounds) between nine and 12 months old.
The flotation gap: United States vs. Canada
While minimum age limits vary by state, every single state in the United States mandates that children must wear a lifejacket while on a moving vessel.
In contrast, Canada has no law requiring children to actually wear lifejackets. Federal regulations under Transport Canada only dictate that flotation devices be onboard the boat, left sitting under a seat or in a locker. Despite years of advocacy and proposed provincial fixes like Ontario’s “Joshua’s Law,” a true mandatory wearing law for kids has yet to cross the finish line anywhere in the country.
Come on, Canada!
Editor’s note: In the early 1980s, Tyler J. Moffitt served as a Department of National Defence sailing instructor and provided auxiliary support to the Canadian Coast Guard on the massive waters of Manitoba’s Lake Winnipeg. His experience firsthand with seeing the advantages of wearing lifejackets/PFDs is what transformed a standard safety protocol into a lifelong conviction: That on the water, a lifejacket/PFD isn’t just gear—it is the definitive line between a close call and a tragedy.
On a body of water as notoriously unpredictable and fast-changing as Lake Winnipeg, he witnessed how quickly conditions can deteriorate and how rapidly panic can set in, even for experienced swimmers. Through rescuing capsized sailors and assisting distressed boaters, he saw that lifejackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs) buy invaluable time, keep conscious or injured individuals afloat, and vastly increase the chances of a successful rescue. Ultimately, those years on the water deeply instilled a core belief: Lifejackets and PFDs cannot save lives unless they are already on before disaster hits!
