Children and Life Jackets

[Native_Son]

Originally Posted by rdub1968

Whether it is a law or not, any good parent would still have their child wear a life jacket. A car crash and a child falling overboard could have very different results. A boat doesn't have to be moving for an accident to occur.
Plus there can be alcohol on board that would slow down everyone's ability to save a child overboard.

I take it you don't have young kids?

well it'd be an incorrect assumption.

yes, I have a small child. one of the first things I taught her was how to swim. I wouldn't have any qualms with letting her walk docks without a life preserver (I'm also teaching her how to spell). At four years old, she is a capable swimmer.

Plus, I don't believe that safety equipment can replace a parent's watchful eye. And there is NO WAY in hades that my daughter is within a stone's throw of water without being watched like a hawk.

I find your criteria for judging "good parents" to be completely laughable.

where do you nannies draw your subjective line between good and bad parents? you say "A boat doesn't have to be moving for an accident to occur. " Well a car has to move to get to the marina (or to school, or the grocery store) doesn't it?

You say "there can be alcohol on board that would slow down everyone's ability to save a child overboard". Sure, there can be. There can be alcohol just about anywhere at anytime. slapping a life jacket on a child is not the magical solution to "right" parenting. y'all shouldn't be so damn quick to judge when you really have *no* idea.

[rdub1968]

Originally Posted by Native_Son

I find your criteria for judging "good parents" to be completely laughable.

where do you nannies draw your subjective line between good and bad parents? you say "A boat doesn't have to be moving for an accident to occur. " Well a car has to move to get to the marina (or to school, or the grocery store) doesn't it?

You say "there can be alcohol on board that would slow down everyone's ability to save a child overboard". Sure, there can be. There can be alcohol just about anywhere at anytime. slapping a life jacket on a child is not the magical solution to "right" parenting. y'all shouldn't be so damn quick to judge when you really have *no* idea.

I guess people can't walk, or ride a bike to the marina?

Yeah, like I think the only thing that makes a good parent is having their kid wear a life jacket. Stop generalizing things.

So you think your 4 year old can swim? Sure, maybe in a pool. But put here is the choppy waters of Lake Norman and see how good she does. How about a boating accident? You think she would be able to tread water long enough for an injured person to swim after her?

Go ahead and search for drownings on Lake Norman, here's one for ya. People on the boat couldn't save these 2 kids because of the choppy waters. And they were older than 4.
Rescuers find 2 boys who drowned at Lake Norman - WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-

And you need to learn exactly what a Nanny state is, which is passing laws to protect people from doing stupid things.

And a lot of people that would never drink and drive a car wouldn't think it is such a bad thing to have a few beers on a boat.

[Native_Son]

Originally Posted by rdub1968

I guess people can't walk, or ride a bike to the marina?

mmkay. are you being obtuse on purpose?

Originally Posted by rdub1968

Yeah, like I think the only thing that makes a good parent is having their kid wear a life jacket. Stop generalizing things.

you said, and I quote: "any good paorent would still have their child wear a life jacket"

now tell me captain obvious, who is generalizing?

Originally Posted by rdub1968

So you think your 4 year old can swim? Sure, maybe in a pool. But put here is the choppy waters of Lake Norman and see how good she does. How about a boating accident? You think she would be able to tread water long enough for an injured person to swim after her?

Go ahead and search for drownings on Lake Norman, here's one for ya. People on the boat couldn't save these 2 kids because of the choppy waters. And they were older than 4.
Rescuers find 2 boys who drowned at Lake Norman - WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC- (http://www.wbtv.cobvhm/global/story.asp?s=12829971 - broken link)

I have been around water my entire life. I was a lifeguard at Myrtle Beach. I'm an avid whitewater boater, surfer, wakeboarder and SWIMMER. I know more about water safety than you'll ever sniff, so why don't you let ME worry about the capabilities and safety of my daughter? My daughter was swimming in the surf with her father by age three, and if she's anywhere near water then I can dadgum guarantee you that I am supremely confident that she is in safe and capable care.

maybe you are scared of water. maybe you can't hold your breath for 15 seconds. maybe you had some tragedy in your past that impedes you. that's your business. don't make it mine with your assumptions.

Originally Posted by rdub1968

And you need to learn exactly what a Nanny state is, which is passing laws to protect people from doing stupid things.