Using a life jacket or other personal flotation device (PFD) may save your life in the case of a boating accident in Texas. Choosing the right PFD for each person and for the water conditions is especially important, since size, fit, and type do matter. In order to help keep your family safe during summer fun in the water, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Offers several tips to purchasing the right life jackets for your family.
In order to work properly, a wearable PFD must fit the person wearing it. To test the fit of a PFD, put it on and attach all the fastenings properly, adjusting them so that the PFD is snug around your torso. Once the PFD is on and snug, have someone else pull upwards on the shoulders of the PFD. If it fits properly, the top of the shoulders will not reach the bottom of your ears, and the jacket will fit snugly around your torso. It’s best to try on a PFD before buying it to ensure that it fits properly.
Texas law requires children ages 13 and younger to wear a PFD at all times when they are on a motorboat less than 26 feet long. All boats under 16 feet long should carry a Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each person on board. If the boat is over 16 feet long, it should also have at least one Type IV, or “throwable,” PFD that’s easily available. Canoes and kayaks, however, do not have to have a Type IV PFD on board.
A boating accident can quickly turn a summer day’s fun into tragedy. When an accident occurs, it can be difficult to figure out who was responsible for the accident or what your rights are under Texas law. An experienced Texas boat accident lawyer can help you make sense of what happened and seek compensation if someone else’s negligence or carelessness caused an injury.
