SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In an effort to reduce the number of drownings on California’s waterways, the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) supports statewide life jacket loaner programs. 

“It is disheartening to hear reports of drowning victims being found without life jackets,” said DBW’s acting Director Lucia Becerra. “Knowing how to swim will not help someone who becomes unconscious, or can no longer swim or rescue themselves. A properly fitted life jacket is the number one way to increase the chances of survival.”

DBW supplies life jackets for children and adults to public and private loaner stations across the state. The program gives an individual or family the opportunity to check out life jackets for a day or a weekend by simply completing a loan form. Some stations have life jacket use requirements, so please contact participating locations for specifics.

California boating law requires all children under the age of 13, every person on board a personal watercraft (Jet Ski) or being towed behind a vessel to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. The law also requires that life jackets be carried on a vessel for every person on board.

For more information about these life jackets programs or other boating laws, please visit www.BoatResponsibly.com.

Note to Media: On May 25, DBW will be conducting life jacket trade-ins at select Kohl’s Department Store locations in the Sacramento region, Plaza El Segundo in El Segundo, Old Town Plaza in Suisun City and Alameda South Shore Center in Alameda. The program gives parents the opportunity for life jackets to be inspected by professionals. If a life jacket is found to be outgrown or unserviceable, a new, properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is given in exchange (while supplies last).