Why it’s vital that kids wear life jackets when camping near water

Life jackets are an essential item to pack for a camping vacation with kids if the trip involves any water activities. They are essential equipment, particularly for me as a single mother. Mostly, I take care of camp duties. I set up the tent and prepare the food. In addition, my two energetic boys will prevent me from doing the duties if I have to constantly keep an eye on them. My rule is that my boys must always wear their life jackets when playing in the river, an outdoor pool, or by the sea while we are camping or having a picnic. I have a 14-year-old daughter and two kids, ages eight and ten. Every camping trip, the four of us bring a life jacket of a reliable brand that we each purchased online for around RM50. We’ll never know, even if it seems like the river is shallow. A steep drop-off might appear out of nowhere downstream. We are thus certain that our kids can always float when they are wearing life jackets. Extra benefits have come from this safety regulation. The children may float face up and rest in the water while wearing life jackets. When they wear life jackets, they have more movement than when they use big tyre tubes as floats. When I took my kids on a picnic at Port Dickson earlier this year, it became clear how important life jackets are. At low tide, the water retreats from the beach by over 200 metres. My sons went exploring along the tidal flats till I was unable to see them while I was cooking. Particularly during spring tide seasons, there’s a considerable probability that on beaches where the tide recedes far out, the high tide will return rapidly. When we’re not looking, our kids might get caught in the receding tide when they’re too busy gathering seashells or playing in the sand. While it may not seem deep to adults, it may be hazardous for kids, so parents need to consider the hazards before taking their kids outside. I make the most of every school holiday and public holiday by taking my kids on extended outdoor trips. I take my laptop to camp and use it to complete my work as an online English instructor while the kids play. I choose for well-known, well-reviewed campgrounds that charge between RM30 and RM50 per night. Since my boys like playing in the water, we frequently choose locations near rivers, outdoor swimming pools, or the sea. We go camping at least once a month, generally staying for two nights. The only thing about life jackets that bothers me is their bulk. Even with my Toyota Hilux, the pickup truck still has to make room for the four life jackets that I use. I am aware that there are designs that are thinner and composed of superior materials, but since I am raising children, I have to take price into account. We thus make every effort to organise and fit our camping gear into the vehicle. Never use life jackets as pillows or cushions at camp, or crush them beneath heavy gear when travelling, since this can harm the foam inside and lessen the buoyancy of the jackets.