Kids Don’t Float is a program of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) that provides free loaner life jackets for small children at various marinas and boat launches throughout British Columbia.
The local Campbell River Station has been able, with the kind support of Pacific Playgrounds at Saratoga Beach, to erect a loaner board near the boat launch ramp at Pacific Playground.
This is the second loaner board established in the Campbell River area with the first being at Discovery Harbour near the ramp at the south end.
Each board has nine personal floatation devices (PFDs) in three different sizes – infant, toddler and small child.
People who need a PFD for a guest child are encouraged to take one in the correct size from the board and then return it at the end of the boat trip.
There is no cost to the user. Mustang donates the PFDs to RCMSAR who then work with local organizations to establish loaner stations where needed throughout the province.
In addition to its search and rescue mandate, RCMSAR encourages and supports safe boating.
This includes the use of PFDs for all on the boat.
For more information on RCMSAR programs and membership visit www.rcmsar.com