What's New
Idaho Boating Survey
The Boating Program conducted a user survey during 2009. An overview, questions, and a summary of the survey are listed below. If you would like to read responses to individual questions, just click on the question you are interested in.
Overview of Survey and Questions Asked (311 KB)
Summary of Survey Results (351 KB)
Boating Classes
The Boating Education page is continually updated as new classes become available. Click here to access a list of current classes.
Keith Colburn PSA's
Do you watch Discovery Channel's "The Deadliest Catch"? Captain Keith Colburn of the fishing vessel "Wizard" is helping the U.S. Coast Guard spread the message of boating safety. Click here to access three public service announcements recently created through this partnership!
National Safe Boating Council's Boating Safety Sweepstakes
The National Safe Boating Council is holding a Boating Safety Sweepstakes from November 2 – December 14, 2009. All you need to do to enter the sweepstakes and possibly win some cool prizes is complete a boating survey. Click here to learn more!
Picture of the Month
The Boating Program has started doing a "Picture of the Month." If you are interested in submitting a
boating related picture to be placed on our website, please email it (in a small file size) to
Kim.Jackson@idpr.idaho.gov. The picture must be family friendly.
The image on the right is one of Deputy Mike Gladhart of Clearwater County sharing some of his "I Got Caught Wearing My Lifejacket" t-shirts with some deserving kids.
Choosing a Child's Life Jacket
Choosing a life jacket that will work for your infant or child can be challenging if you've never done it before. Click here to watch a short video on how to properly size a life jacket for the younger ones in your life.
Float Coats Work, Too
One type of floatation device that many people don't think about are float coats. They are essentially coats with built in floatation, which is great for those colder weather fishing and duck hunting trips. Click here for a short video showing how they can be effective for unexpected cold swims.
Inflatable Life Jackets
To see a YouTube demonstration of an automatic inflatable life jacket, click here.
According to information from the National Safe Boating Council, did you know that 70-80% of all boating fatality victims drown, that approximately 85-90% of those victims were not wearing life jackets, and that 400-500 lives each year could be saved just by wearing a life jacket? Just a few seconds at the beginning of your trip to don a life jacket could save you and your loved ones from having to attend your own funeral.
In the past, life jackets were bulky, hot, and uncomfortable. But, in today’s world, there is a great option that eliminates these excuses: an inflatable life jacket. Instead of using foam or other buoyant materials, inflatable life jackets use compressed air (usually carbon dioxide contained in a cylinder) to inflate and fill compartments within the vest. Some inflatable life jackets come with a cord, which you must manually pull in order to activate the life jacket. Other inflatable life jackets will self-inflate after the life jacket becomes wet. Additionally, these vests are not a one-time use item. Once you inflate it, all you need to do is buy a rearming kit. But, before you go out and buy an inflatable life jacket for everyone in the family, there are a few things you need to know:
- Non-swimmers should not use inflatable life jackets, as they may panic when they enter the water.
- Inflatable life jackets should not be used in any water sport where there is even the slightest chance you may be knocked unconscious. This includes water skiing, wake boarding, tubing, and riding a PWC (jet ski).
- Inflatable life jackets should not be used in white water sports, as they generally do not have enough buoyancy to keep your head above water in these conditions.
- You must be at least 16 years old to wear an inflatable life jacket in Idaho.
- All life jackets must be readily available when the boat is underway.
- Inspect the life jacket before each use. If it comes with an indicator window, you will be able to tell if the cylinder is good without removing it from the vest. If there is no indicator window, you will have to remove the cylinder and inspect it for holes. If there are any holes in the cylinder, REPLACE IT with a new, unused cylinder.
- Make sure you rearm your inflatable life jacket with the right size cartridge. You can find this information inside the vest itself or in its owner’s manual.
- Follow all recommendations and instructions for care of the inflatable life jacket that are included in the owner’s manual.
- Inflatable life jackets usually require interaction by the wearer.
Remember—Life Jackets only save lives when worn.
Idaho's Boating Safety "YouTube" Video
The splash test dummies are coming to Idaho in their first YouTube video! Originally from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft, Splish and Splash will be starring in “Boating and Duck Hunting in Idaho”. They will be accompanied by Waterspot, the family dog. They are just working on the final touches and hope to have the video ready to post soon!
Looking for a Few Good Sailors
Do you enjoy boating? Would you love to share your knowledge and expertise with others? The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary needs you! To learn more about this important organization and how you can help improve recreational boating in Idaho, go to http://a130.uscgaux.info/public/join_the_auxiliary.htm to find out more about joining the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. You can also find contact information for your local Flotilla on this website.