The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Colorado has the following
suggestions for determining whether it’s safe to bring
infants and small children on the Delores River in Colorado.
The Delores is a springtime river, with cold water and spring’s
unpredictable weather.
“Infants and small children do not belong on
the Dolores River if you answer NO to any
of the following:
- Can your child climb in & out of a boat by himself/herself?
- Is your child strong enough to hold himself/herself in
a moving or bouncing boat without being held by a parent?
- Does your child have the knowledge, strength and skill
to get to shore or back to a boat if he/she has fallen overboard?
- Does your child have the knowledge, strength & skill
to survive a swim in cold, moving water or rapids?
- Does your child have the knowledge, strength & skill
to grab hold of a thrown rope?”
Nicholas reefing on the oars.
©Peter Fitzmaurice |
The conditions on the waters where you plan to take your
kids may differ from those on the Delores. However, consider
the worst-case scenario that you could face on your trip
and ask yourself, “Can my little ones take care of
themselves if this happens?” Sound advice for any moving
water boating is “Dress for a swim, rig for a flip.” Remember,
you may or may not be able to assist your children if an
accident occurs. Ensure their safety and enjoyment of your
trip by preparing them to react to emergencies.
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Here are some ways to do this. Also check out the
Kids
Safety article for more tips.
Always Wear a Properly Fitted PFD
We stock a wide range of
Kids’ PFDs.
Make sure your kids have one that has the right amount of flotation
for their weight and one that fits properly. See the
Kids
PFD Reference Guide for help in picking a good PFD for your
child’s size and the type of boating you’re doing.
Remember, these young people have growing bodies and will probably
require larger sized jackets over time. Do Not buy a larger jacket
they can “grow into” – that’s not safe.
Make sure the PFD fits properly. Tighten all the adjustment points
snugly, starting at the lowest one. Then, pick the child up by
the shoulders of the jacket. If the child’s chin and ears
slip through, the PFD is too large for them, replace it with the
right size. Comfort in a PFD is important with a child; if their
jacket isn’t comfortable, they’ll resist wearing it.
You may have to try more than one to get a good fit.
A PFD only works if you’re wearing it! Make sure your child
is wearing their properly adjusted PFD at all times while on or
in the water. Set a good example by always wearing yours. It’s
also a good idea to have them wear the PFD in camp when playing
near the water.
Practice with Your Child
Help your child become comfortable with boating and with water.
Make sure they learn to swim. Go out with them and float through
some mild rapids. Explain the safe way to do it – on the
back with feet downstream. Talk about breathing in the wave troughs
and holding their breath when they get splashed. Hold their hand
and float through some waves. Make it a game and a fun activity.
Talk to them afterward, find out if they have any fears and answer
all their questions.
Go to a stretch of moving, flat water and practice having
them catch a throw rope and get pulled to shore. Again, make
a game out of it and help them be comfortable with the process.
While you’re drifting along, let them float near the
boat in safe stretches. Let them swim to the boat and practice
climbing or being pulled into the boat.
Start out slow and let your child set the pace. It’s
important not to scare them and for them not to have a bad
experience. As they learn these skills, their confidence
will grow and you will be more comfortable taking them with
you on trips.
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Troy tells GutterDog, "There's only
room
for one of us in this boat!"
©Gary Wilson |
Dress for the Conditions
Little bodies get cold. See our
Kids
Gear for wetsuits and splash wear. NRS HydroSilk long and short
sleeve shirts give UPF 50+ sun protection. Apply sunscreen to exposed
skin and give them a wide brimmed hat for more protection.
You love the water and the outdoors. It’s an important part
of your life. Help your children enjoy that same love and passion.
And help them learn to do it safely.
Boat Often & Boat Safe!
