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Program offers life jackets for kids to borrow

Kiosks set up throughout the Shuswap provide PFDs free for use on the water.
Lifejacket Kiosk
Pat Gau and Rob Hein show off the new loaner life jacket kiosk at the Canoe Beach boat launch on Friday

Kids don’t float but PFDs do.

This is the theme of a new initiative of Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station on Shuswap Lake.

Two Kids Don’t Float! kiosks were recently installed on the lake, while a third has been refurbished. The kiosks carry loaner PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices) for children to use while boating or swimming.

The kiosks are located at the boat launch in Sicamous, at the Canoe Beach boat launch in Salmon Arm and at Shuswap Lake Park at Scotch Creek/Celista.

The kiosk at Canoe Beach was funded by the Salmar Community Association, the Shuswap Lake kiosk by the Shuswap Community Foundation and the refurbished kiosk in Sicamous by Bayview Homes of Sicamous.

RCM-SAR wants kids to stay safe in the water.

If a child needs a PFD, parents are welcome to borrow one at the kiosk.

Parents must ensure they choose the right size PFD for their child and it is properly worn while boating or swimming.

Parents are asked to return the PFD when they are through for other kids to use.

Other loaner station kiosks are being planned for other public boats launches around Shuswap Lake. RCM-SAR Shuswap hopes to have two other kiosks installed at Herald Park and at the Marine Peace Park wharf (Salmon Arm) later in the summer. Donors for these two projects are Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union, the Shuswap Watershed Council and the Knights of Columbus (Salmon Arm).

RCM-SAR is a volunteer marine search and rescue organization dedicated to saving lives on the water 24/7, 365 days of the year.

RCM-SAR (Shuswap) also provides boating safety education for children and adults throughout the Shuswap. They are active participants in Shuswap maritime festivals and are organizing the Kids Don’t Float life jacket loaner program on Shuswap Lake.

Check out their website www.rcmsar106.ca for more information and news about boating safety and the station.

RCM-SAR Station 106 (Shuswap) is a vital part of the Shuswap search and rescue network and works with other emergency responders to help save lives on the water.

Remember, if you are playing in or near the water, always wear a PFD.