NDGF PFD Life Jacket
By Doug Leier
Never wait on a safety reminder. It could be too late.
You shouldn’t wait until after the opening weekend of pheasant season to brush up on firearm safety. You take hunter safety before you hunt. The same mindset belongs on the water.
Because here’s the truth: if your day on the lake or river isn’t safe, nothing else really matters. Not the sunshine, not the tranquil peace and quiet, not even the fish in the live well.
I grew up in a time when safety wasn’t front and center. No bike helmets. Life jackets were more cushion to sit on than clothing. And, for all the wrong reasons, we wore that like a badge of honor.
Times change. Or at least they should.
Most people today would agree safety isn’t an afterthought anymore. It’s part of the routine. And if it’s not, it ought to be.
One thing that still surprises many people is that wearing a life jacket isn’t required for adults on North Dakota waters. It feels a little backwards when you think about how we treat seat belts. In both cases, putting one on after something goes wrong doesn’t do much good.
While there’s your own personal responsibility and choice, which I understand, your loved ones deserve to have you around a little longer, right?
A life jacket only works if you’re wearing it before you need it.
The good news is, today’s life jackets aren’t what they used to be. They’re lighter, more comfortable, and designed for just about any activity — fishing, canoeing, water skiing. The old excuses don’t hold much water anymore. Pardon my pun.
And if cost gives you pause, it’s worth asking a simple question: what’s a life worth?
North Dakota state law does require kids 10 and under to wear a life jacket in boats under 27 feet. There also needs to be a properly fitting PFD on board for everyone else. Anyone on a personal watercraft — or being towed on skis or a tube — needs to have one on.
Beyond the rules, there are practical choices. Skiers and tubers should look for jackets with secure straps. Anglers and paddlers are better off with something comfortable enough to wear all day.
None of this is complicated. But it does take intention. It’s a choice.
A little preparation before you leave the dock goes a long way toward making sure you come back with nothing but good memories.
For a refresher on boating regulations and safety tips, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s water safety guide is available online. It’s worth a look — before you need it. It’s linked here and here https://gf.nd.gov/education/boating.
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