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TERRY TOMALIN"In 2002, nearly nine out of ten of all drowning victims were not wearing their life jackets." United States Coast Guard
INDIAN SHORES - Dwayne Sommers witnessed his share of crazy things patrolling the county's waterways.
Nudists, drunks, poachers - the Pinellas County Sheriff's Marine Unit sergeant has seen it all. But nothing gets his blood boiling like coming across a child without a life jacket.
"Do you know how many lives could be saved?" asked the father of three young girls.
In recent months the Sheriff's Office has investigated three boating accidents where personal-flotation devices could have made the difference between life and death.
There is no requirement that adults wear PFDs when under way, but state law does require children under the age of 6 wear a PFD on boats less than 26-feet long.
"Some people just don't know," said Sommers. "Others thought they had brought the life jackets along and then find out once they are on the water that the PFD blew off the boat while they were driving down the interstate."
But instead of ticketing boaters who don't have adequate safety equipment for their children, the Sheriff's Department is trying a different approach.
"We believe in education," Sommers said. "We explain the law, then if the boater needs some life jackets for their kids, we will lend them some."
Boaters World has donated 400 child-sized PFDs for "Operation Kid Float." Boaters can pick up life jacket's at two locations: Don't Dock at John's Pass or at the boat ramp on the Belleair Causeway. Sheriff's Department marine units on the water also carry extra life jackets for children.
"We hope to make this an ongoing program," Sommers said. "That is why it is important for boaters to return the life jackets when they are done so they will be there for the next family that needs them."
Sommers said many families that he encounters on the water have enough life jackets for everyone on board, but often the PFDs are too big for children.
"The law states that the PFD must fit properly," he said. "If the PFD is too big, the child can slip right out of it once they are in the water, and then it doesn't do any good at all."
Children's life jackets come in three sizes: infant, 30-50 pounds and 50-90.
"A properly fitting life jacket will be more comfortable," Sommers said. "If a child is comfortable, they are less likely to complain about wearing it."
A life jacket only works if it is worn. Most accidents occur as the result of some unexpected occurrence such as hitting a boat wake or colliding with another vessel.
"One way to get a child to wear their life jacket is to let them be part of the process when it comes to buying it," Sommers said. "Let them try a few different ones on. Let them choose the one they want."
Childrens' life jackets come in a variety of styles and colors. Some are adorned with cartoon characters such as Scooby Doo.
"They cost a little more," Sommers said. "But they are worth it if it means they will wear it."
The Boaters World life jackets distributed in the loaner program are equipped with a yellow sheriff's star.
"The kids love them," Sommers said. "We have a hard time getting them back."
If you have a child-sized life jacket you would like to donate to Operation Kid Float, take it to the dropoff bin at 19305 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, or call (727) 518-3435 for information.