To think DS (4) should wear a life jacket on a canal boat?

[BoyMeetsWorld]

Ok, genuinely looking for your opinions as I freely admit I can be a paranoid Mum.

ExP & his parents regularly take our DS (4) on the family canal boat, sometimes just for short trips sometimes for longer holidays. They actively encourage him to help with the locks etc & he has free run. None of the adults onboard can swim (they never learned) & DS told me today that since he putgrew his infant life jacket 2 years ago they haven't bought him a new one.

Am I being unreasonable to expect him to have (& wear) a life jacket?

Would like your thoughts before I raise it with ExP

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

YA (absolutely) NBU.

Your ds should definitely have a life jacket (not just a buoyancy aid) on while he's on deck or around the locks IMO.

[VivaLeBeaver]

yanbu.

My 7yo niece wears a life jacket on their canal boat.

[phantomnamechanger]

YA soooo NBU!

[TeenAndTween]

Definitely needs a life jacket.

We were just debating here whether strong swimmer DD1 age 14 still needs one on motor boat on Thames. Decided not on boat, but yes for around locks if getting out / helping etc.

[PigeonPie]

If you were hiring a boat from a hire company they now insist on children, I think under 14, wearing life jackets.

I can remember going on my aunt's boat at about four, but because we didn't have a life jacket having to wear my blow up arm bands! However this was in about 1974 and jackets have come on a long way since then.

I think that your DS should be wearing one and I would insist. My DSs have certainly worn them on boats.

I spent many happy holidays on narrow boats as a youngster - probably from the age of 10 and I have to say that once we got our confidence we didn't have life belts, as they were hot and cumbersome, and we were very confident swimmers. But as with seat belts and car seats, life has changed.

[kinkyfuckery]

YAdefinitelyNBU

[HazelnutinCaramel]

Easiest question I've ever seen on here. Yes he should.

[SoleSource]

YANBU

Essential

[cathpip]

YANBU, we just bought two for our children to go on a friends boat for the day, doubt they will be used again. They cost £25 each, not much for peace of mind really.

[Justforlaughs]

It would depend on what barriers there were around the boat, but certainly if he is being encouraged to get involved in managing the locks YANBU. Is there any way that you can buy one for him? (yes, it should be your ex that buys it, but in the greater scheme of things it's more important that he wears one than having a fight over who buys it not saying that it would necessarily end in a fight, but this is mumsnet )

[lillibet1]

we had narrow boats for many years and my brother and I and all the other kids had to wear them until we were at least 8 and could swim unaided two continuous lengths of a full sized pool

of course he should

[BoyMeetsWorld]

Thanks everyone for the opinions: makes me realise I'm not just being silly. I know it's going to cause a fight with ExP even if I'm really polite about it but I think it's important.

Thanks for the idea re: buying a life jacket for him myself, that's a really good idea if he won't co-operate

[quoteunquote]

I can't think of a single reason he shouldn't wear one.

[Cakebaker35]

YANBU! Tbh I doubt I'd let my child on a boat if there was no one there that could swim either, unbelievable! Call me paranoid but saving experienced first hand how tricky it us to get a person out of the water, even as a strong swimmer, I think they're really irresponsible. Rant over.

[ThePowerof3]

I'd buy one and give it to them

[laterplease]

I can only add a very definite YES. However it happens, and whoever buys it, he MUST wear a life jacket at all times when out on deck or around the locks. This would be essential even with strong swimmers onboard.

[thebody]

yes he should and how bizarre that all 3 adults are non swimmers.

I would worry about this as obviously ex p patents didn't have enough healthy respect for water to teach their own child to swim!

I would really worry about their casual attitude to safety actually.

[Tuckshop]

Yes definitely needs one that fits properly.

[Justforlaughs]

Just buy one and give it to him, word it as "it just occurred to me that DS must have almost outgrown his other one by now, I thought it was easier if i bought this one" then ensure that he wears it all the time. If you find out that he isn't, then I'm afraid that I would be curtailing the visits and I really don't say that lightly

[littlewhitebag]

There is no way i would let him even near the boat without a lifejacket. I think you would be reasonable to say 'no lifejacket, no child on boat'.

[HoneyDragon]

When we had our boat ALL children and dogs were in life jackets, no jacket no boat.

[Pollaidh]

Where I sail up to 7,8 etc and older wear them even on the bigger boats, and with someone holding an attached leash too.

[surroundedbyblondes]

Our DC ALWAYS have life jackets when on the water, we insist that they put them on before walking down the jetty.

[Emilythornesbff]

YANBU
As someone else said: easiest question ever posted.
A proper life jacket that fits.
Any sniff of the adults not making him wear it and I wouldn't let him go.

Why are some ppl so difficult?

[TiredFeet]

yanbu. we live by the sea and are both strong swimmers ( and I am a trained lifeguard) and DS is not even allowed down to walk to have a look round his dad's boat unless he is wearing his lifejacket. DH is a professional sailor and a risk taker in his own life (likes extreme sports etc) but there is not a chance he would go out on the water unless DS was wearing his lifejacket. everyone we know has the same rule, and they are all either marine professionals or spend a lot of their time on the water.