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Kids/Sailing/Safety

5K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  NauticalFishwife 
#1 ·
I'm preparing a seminar to present at Strictly Sail in Chicago on Kids/Sailing and safety. I plan on covering basic knots..knowledge of boat...and safety. I'd love suggestions from others who have sailed with children. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
 
#3 ·
There are 3 rules:

Rule #1: Stay on the boat
Rule #2: Stay on the boat
Rule #3: Stay on the doggone boat!

Pfds should be 2nd nature - luckily today's Pfds are way more comfortable than those in my childhood.

Get them involved in helping with the boat as soon as possible - make them feel part of the crew, not just passengers, even at a young age. (and even if they just think they're helping!)

Teach them to row early, and get them into a small sailing dinghy as soon as they are able (6 or 7 yrs) Tremendous self confidence can be gained by "skippering their own boat".

Don't yell at them.... ever.

A bit of fishing line, a small hook, and a bucket.... an afternoon's amusement at any dock.

Seek out other cruisers with like-age children - some friends-for-life can be made.

Make sure they are avid readers... much easier to pass those rainy days or long easy passages if they are able to occupy themselves and learn something at the same time.

Swimming lessons so that falling in doesn't scare them, and so they have another fun way to spend a warm afternoon.

Sit back and watch them grow into capable, confident sailors in their own right!
 
#5 · (Edited)
The "Stay on the boat" rule only really applies to bigger boats... on a 14' Laser, staying on the boat isn't always an option....since they tend to capsize fairly regularly, especially with a relatively inexperienced sailor aboard.

However, wearing PFDs should not be optional for the kids, at least until they're in their mid-teens... A 15 or 16 year old can generally decide for themselves for the most part... but a 5 or 10 year old really needs to be wearing a PFD, harness and tether. But this also depends on how experienced the child is with regards to sailing.

If the kid has been sailing since they were four or five, chances are pretty likely they'll have a good idea of when they need a PFD, harness and tether and when they don't.

It also depends on the boat... some boats are safer boats to be on than others... for instance, my boat is 18' wide with foot high bulwarks on the outer edge of the amas... and sails with 10˚ of heel at the most. We're often out in conditions that would have most monohulls leaned over 30-40˚ or so. Someone on one of those monohulls best be tethered in with a PFD on... but the boom is over six feet off the ama or cockpit level, and no danger to anyone not actually on the cabintop. So, it is pretty easy to stay aboard my boat, even when it is blowing like stink.

I do have some rules about when PFDs are mandatory. Same about harnesses and tethers. If you're going forward or on-deck at night while underway... they're required. I don't like MOB drills, and certainly don't want to do a real one at night. If the weather is bad, and you have to go forward, you are required to be at least tethered, but preferably tethered wearing a PFD.

Staying on the boat is really key. Small kids lose body heat much faster than larger adults, so hypothermia is more of a risk with them falling overboard.

BTW, getting inflatable PFDs makes a huge difference, since they're a lot more comfortable than the big, bulky Type I PFDs, yet provide most of the safety. Don't forget to teach the kids how to check the auto-inflation mechanism and CO2 cartridge. They should do this every time they put the PFD on. Murphy's law says the one time they don't the bottle won't be screwed in or won't be there.
 
#6 ·
Don't forget, that just as on land, you need to make children aware of what is safe. That there is a purpose behind the rules and not just adult authority.
 
#7 ·
One super-duper-goes straight to the hindbrain keyword that the parents teach the kids and then do not use except in dire need.

A word that means STOP, but cannot be ignored the way kids tend to do with everyday situations when they are pushing the boundaries.

We took the word "Hold" from the SCA and use it on board. If our two year old hears it, he will freeze on the spot, check his immediate surroundings and sit down in the lowest spot that is nearby (usually cockpit floor).

We have only needed to use it once in earnest, but were certainly glad it was there.

The other advice here is also very good and should be taken on board.
 
#8 ·
I think it's important to have a "safe spot" on the boat where the kids can go during a stressful situation, a manuever that takes the parent's focus away, or during rough sea conditions. My kids know to go to the v-berth when we're preparing to dock or during other situtations where we can't keep a direct eye on them. I know they are generally safe there for a few minutes while my wife and I take care of things on deck.
 
#9 ·
I like the idea of the safety keyword, but think that it is really only necessary for younger kids. The idea of a safe area is a good one too. I'll be trying both out next year when I take my nephews, 5 and 7, out sailing for their very first time. :) The safety keyword and safe area should work for their father too...
 
#10 ·
NFW,

Nice to have you aboard. We could probably start an entire forum on this. However, let's see if I can help some:

1) Knots. Clove hitch, bowline, 8. Just let them master those... especially the bowline. Not much a bowline can't do and it is a fun know to teach: The rabbit goes out the hole, around the tree, back in the hole. If you have some older kids, see if they can tie a one-handed bowline.

2) Knowledge of boat. Not sure what all that would entail. Is this from a safety aspect? If not, show them how to coil line with a couple of different methods for stowing the line, wrap a winch, sheet stops, running a winch, cleating a line.

For the older kids, maybe let them whip the bitter end and let them burn it closed.

3) Seamanship. How do you know if you are going to collide with a boat? Answer: mark the boat a fixed point of land behind the vessel. If the vessel is moving ahead of it, you shall pass her to stern. If moving backwards from it, you shall pass the boats bow. If it stays stationary, collision course. I think this is a great tool to teach kids because when in crowded harbors, they really can help watch out.

Rules of the road.

Flag etiquite in domestic and foreign waters.

For fun, let them try and ID some foreign flags.

How to make a Pan-pan or mayday call.

What goes in the head, and what does not. (Our rule is: Do not put anything in this head that you did not eat first). Exception is TP. This sounds grosse, but it is one of the first things I go over with new people (kids and adults alike). I think it has saved many people from having to swim back home.

4) Safety. Lifejackets with crotch straps - with Mustangs being the best. Never touch the panel. One hand for the boat, one for yourself. What to do in electrical storms. How to run a jack line and tether.

Those are some of my thoughts. Let me know if you need some more. Go have fun.

See ya,

- CD
 
#13 ·
Let's see....

We love using a pack and play (play pen) in the salon for the kids. It is great as a sea berth for our smallest during nap time and even better as a kid prison for those short times when we can't be distracted, like when we're docking.

Also, safety netting on the life lines. Invariably, kids will want to look over the side of the boat. The net might stop them from going over...or the toys they are playing with.

Someone here once recommended a bucket of water and a few bath toys in the cockpit and I heartily agree. My kids love playing like that on a hot summer day.

Also, it's worthwhile checking to see what the minimum requirements are for young children in PFDs. The type and styles vary by state somewhat. I believe last year or the year before, Maryland made it law that children had to have the style PFD that had the neck ring until the age of 4.

And one more thing, a portable, battery powered DVD player. My kids love setting up a fort in the V berth and watching a kid movie, which in turn gives mom and dad some welcome down time.
 
#14 · (Edited)
We started sailing with both of our girls at eighteen months.
At eighteen months theres not a lot they can do. Put a small pdf on them and they sit on your lap for hours on end.

As they get a little older the fun begins. At two - three years old they don't want to sit still for more than five minutes unless they are sleeping. It than becomes a real challenge to keep them entertained and busy. Little tiny fingers are into everything, including winch drums and travelers. You have to be on your toes or they can and will get hurt, there are many new things to discover on a sail boat and they will find them.

At five or so, they start to entertain themselves. I had girls, so of course we had plenty of dolls, books, and etc on board. (If I remember there were these toys called tiny pockets that kept them entertained for hours)

A little later, I started giving them chores to do on board. They were very comfortable at an early age. My older daughter at the age of five would start by helping with the mainsail cover as soon as we stepped abord.

Later, I would call her over and simply hand her the tiller. She very rarley complained. She had watched me do it so she knew (Sort of) what to do.

As they grew, I lost my hair. Sailing along, heeled over, taking waves.....Samantha was famous for going forward and sitting on the rail. What is wrong with a nice comffy cockpit, I would ask her.

It became second nature to them. They still sail with us (now 15 & 18). Samantha enjoys it more than Missy.

Give them stuff to do, at an early age its usually their toys etc.
When they are old enough, give them stuff to do as it pertains to running the boat. They have to be busy, or they will drive you nuts.
 
#16 ·
WOW... I expected some response but this is incredible. We began sailing when our sons were 2 and 4 - they are now 30 and 32. Sailing has been a love for us and continues to be a family activity. LOTS of great information, keep it coming. I am a retired art teacher that started the business NauticalFishwife. I've given seminars to hundreds on Organization of boats, but the Kids-Safety at Sea is a new one. There is a need for it, and I'm very appreciative of your support. Thank you!
 
#17 ·
This really is not a commercial proposition. If that were the case, I would have used my business email address. Fishwife is a fish mongers wife. Hearty souls I believe. There is a personal story why I chose that name. It came from some dear sailing salts and it was an act of endearment! I DO appreciate the input and please keep it coming. If we can instill safety in our children maybe it will stay with them. And if we can prevent even one death...it's so worth it. I am thinking of the recent deaths on the Great Lakes and a sailor who did not clip on. Bless them and the families they left.
 
#18 ·


It really is never too early to teach them to get involved and be taken seriously and on their merits (More you put in, more respect you earn...Age is not a factor....Up to some points).

We were standing by and supervising as my just turned 2 years old son did the pilotage on this 80year old classic fishing motor-sailor out of a tight creek mooring and into the bay.

His ear-to-ear grin when he cleared the end of the peir and we applauded him was brilliant! (He is standing on the fishing seat in order to reach the tiller, by the way, so for him it is a sweep-steer).

he already knows the compass points (not all 32 of them, but four is a start) and can recognise the different cardinal marks and name them (whihc is more then can be said for many "adult" boaters).

For him it is total fun, but fun he takes seriously.

Incidentaly, about an hour after this pic was taken, Miles caught his first fish...which was about an inch longer then he is tall.
(The only mini-tantrum of the day was that he got some help to bring the fish in and was not allowed to use the knife to dispatch it).

Sasha
 
#19 ·
Sasha, Thanks for including the picture and especially one that has Miles in his life jacket. With the art teacher background I am, needless to say an advocate of hands on learning. I've also learned that if you can teach children, they in turn become great teachers to their parents. I'm very appreciative of all the suggestions given here. CD's entry was quite insightful. Several years ago I met a family from South Africa who had been cruising with their kids since birth. They were then 8 and 11. The children were mature, kind, compasionate, confident yet were still "kids".
Boats are a great arena for teaching life!
 
#21 · (Edited)
NauticalFishwife,

This is an important topic, kudos for taking it on. It's not clear to me though whether your inteneded audience is kids or parents. If you are going to be instructing children in the safety basics, CD covered those pretty well. There are chapters more that you'd want to include if the seminar is for parents.

I just have a few additional comments:

1) Tethers --which have been recommended by some -- are a good idea in some circumstances. However, just like on land, they can pose a serious strangulation hazard for very young children (infants/toddlers).

2) PFDs -- Like Cruising Dad, we found the Mustang Li'l Legends to be the best design for comfort/safety. Personally, I would not use an inflatable PFD for youngsters. Too many working parts and the risk of malfunction. Failsafe closed cell foam is preferable.

3) When to wear PFDs? Most parents realize that the kids need them when on the boat. But some forget that the dock can be even more dangerous. Teach the kids to put them on when they arrive at the marina -- and keep them on at all times unless they're safe below in the cabin. Also, don't forget to wear the PFDs when out in the dinghy. These are good general rules, especially for non-swimmers. As kids get older and more responsible, parents can modify the rules based on the situation and swimming ability.

4) Safe Place: Several others responded about the importance of a secure/safe place kids can go when parents are busy managing the boat or conditions are becoming challenging. Jotun even suggested a porta-crib. Our boat is fitted with an extra-tall, athwartship lee-cloth at the aft end of the v-berth, which closes it off entirely. This worked well for us when our kids were tots.

Here's my gang playing on the bowsprit a few years back (Mustang didn't have the infant/toddler size PFD back then, but now they do)...

Then:


More recently:
 
#22 ·
John, thank you for your encouragement and information. This is the first time I will have presented this seminar and it is geared for Kids. However, each child will be with an adult. And I've learned if you can teach a child they in turn teach an adult. I only have an hour-and a lot of information to present.So I'll hit the basics and send them home with a good handout. I really like the idea of presenting a seminar for parents. Maybe next year! I plan on covering basic safety, basic knots and VHF basics. I will limit the group to 12-15 Kids.I believe I present the seminar 4 times. I like the idea of starting small, especially for the first year. Keep the information and ideas coming and thank you.
 
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