The following is an article written by P/C Charles Fladger, JN
that explains the history, purpose and mission of this program.
"KIDS DON'T FLOAT -- GIVE THEM SOMETHING THAT WILL"
In my over 60 years of boating and hanging around docks, I have noticed one very consistent pattern of neglect and that is the lack of safety concern for many children around water and in boats as far as personal flotation devices is concerned. It seems that often they are treated as a nonentity and just some unneeded extra baggage for the serious fisherman and the “big guy stuff” with some teenagers. Thankfully, though, I have observed a change for the better in recent years probably due to better patrolling and boater education. But, there still exists enough neglect to be of concern. This past year, the San Antonio Sail and Power Squadron had an informal fishing rendezvous in Seward, Alaska. While launching a boat one morning, we say a sign and display of life jackets next to the ramp that caught our attention and ultimately led to a program that has become very rewarding as far as helping that often neglected gap in boating safety, life jackets for kids. The sign read “Kids Don’t Float – Give Them Something That Will” and alongside on a fence railing we saw about a dozen life jackets for infants and children. They appeared to be well used, and some were still wet from a recent outing by someone. This struck us as something we just had to try in our area. Our first contact was with Ms. Shannon Kovac who works in the office of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Seward, Alaska. It is her duty to monitor and restock the display when needed. She referred us to the main office for the statewide program based in Juneau, Alaska. E-mail brought us an immediate response from Sue Hargis, the 17th District Boating Safety Coordinator for the State of Alaska. She was delighted with our interest in starting a program in Texas and explained to us that theirs is a joint U. S. Coast Guard, State of Alaska and community-based program, since it takes all three sponsors to make the program successful. She said that there were no copyright infringements with our starting the program and that she would be willing to help us in any manner. Well, she helped. Did she help! She was a delightful person to work with and forwarded workbooks on how to build the display stand, suggestions on who to contact for help with the expense involved and another complete booklet on how to present the subject of water safety to school children. This program has become a reality for the San Antonio Sail and power Squadron and we are planning on expanding it to other area lakes this spring. Our first step was to talk with the Texas Parks and Recreation Department in Austin, Texas to explain our plan. They were very receptive and referred us to Mr. Kenny Fletcher here in San Antonio who is the park foreman for two large area lakes that a very popular with fisherman and water recreation enthusiasts. We decided on Lake Calavarus and set up a display of Jackets and a sign right next to the drive-by-office where guests pay a fee to use the facilities. On a busy day, most of the jackets were in use by noon and there were boaters requesting them the rest of the day, so we increased the number of free loaners. The lake’s marina rents adult life preservers, but has never stocked them for children, so we really filled a much-needed gap. Our one big problem was that the display of jackets was not only empty by noon, but very soon it was empty at night as well. Several boaters were taking them home and not returning the jackets to the rack as requested. We have large stenciled notices on the items stating that this is the property of the San Antonio Sail and Power Squadron and to please return when finished with it. The marina wanted the program so badly that they agreed to bring the life jackets inside and see that that borrowers signed for them using photo identification, phone numbers, license numbers, etc., along with the name of the child using the item. This has resulted in stopping most of the loss, but we have decided that some missing jackets is something we have to live with if we are going to continue the program, which we certainly intend to do. We are on the side of the kids and it is not their fault that daddy chooses not to return the borrowed jacket. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Officers have applauded the program and have been very helpful in furthering our relationship with the various lake personnel. The U. S. Corps of Engineers has expressed an interest in working with us, with a view toward partnering in some of the locations that they monitor. Among their many lake responsibilities, they are also responsible for the boat ramps and promoting safe boating. They intend to furnish life preservers as well as monitor the loaner program at their locations. As one Parks and Wildlife officer told us, we will never know how many lives we might save because “that’s not news and won’t appear in the papers.” We can certainly live with that, but also know that we have made boating safer for some children and also more enjoyable by wearing a life jacket that fits (and not struggling to stay in an adult size hand-me-down). Our Kids Don’t Float Program committee is very enthusiastic and will be willing to answer any questions other squadrons might have regarding the program. The contact for the San Antonio Sail and Power Squadron is: cfladger@earthlink.net
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Updated 28 Feb 2018