Does anyone know where i could get free life jackets for 4 children. my client asked me to help her....?

Question

she has 4 children. they are going to Lake Erie and need life jackets. They are not able to afford the safety restraints. Does anyone know where I could direct her or where i could look for her. Thanks in advance....

Answer 1

Your client may actually not need to get life jackets on her own.

If the family is going on a boat ride on a commercial vessel (a ferry boat, a tour boat, or something like that), the Coast Guard requires the boat to carry enough life jackets for everyone on board.  In other words, she doesn't need to bring her own.

If she is going on a private boat, she should ask the owner what he has in the way of life jackets.  The requirements for private vessels are not as strict, but there are Coast Guard minimums.

I wish I could offer advice about a place that gives away free life jackets.  Unfortunately, I can't.  But I would advise her NOT to go on a private boat if there are not enough life jackets for her children. It would be irresponsible. And I would also advise her to stay away from thrift stores and the like. Modern life vests, which need to be inflated, are easier to put on, but they wear out over time.  You do not want to find out the hard way that you have one that doesn't work any more. (As I said, ferries and such are no problem.)

I hope this information is helpful.

Answer 2

try freecycle.org

Answer 3

You can check local thrift shops, and the salvation army, craigslist.org, and eBay. Also contact your local cost guard department, when I was younger in NYC they helped my parents out with that. Good luck, and hope they have a great time on their trip!