Kids Don't Float (KDF) Program
Adopt this program to reduce youth drowning
Kids Don't Float is a water safety program that can make a major impact on reducing child & youth drowning incidents. Consider setting up a KDF program in your community
About KDF - Community groups in Homer, Alaska developed the Kids Don't Float Program to reduce the State's high incidence of child and youth drowning in 1996. The local fire department, working under a grant from the State of Alaska, joined forces with Homer Safe Kids, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Homer Public Schools to install 15 lifejacket loaner stations in the immediate region.
KDF Program Components - In its current configuration, KDF is composed of two major program components. They are installation of lifejacket loaner boards, and providing peer-to-peer student boating safety education. The program seeks to develop local sponsors to provide PFDs and maintain loaner stations. More information can be found at the Alaska Office of Boating Safety.
Loaner Stations - KDF lifejacket loaner stations are setup by sponsoring organizations like local harbors to provide a PFD to any child that might need one prior to taking a boating trip. Many communities have expanded their stations to include lifejackets sized for adults. PFDs are available at no cost to those that may need them. There are currently more than 425 active PFD loaner stations installed in Alaska. Coast Guard statistics show that at least twelve students have survived near drowning incidents because of PFDs provided under the program. There has also been a documented increase of 16 to 35 percent in the use of lifejackets by children in Alaska.
Education - The Alaska Office of Boating Safety has published a complete water safety curriculum including lesson plans based on KDF that are freely available for use by educators in an Adobe PDF file. A unique component of the program is the peer-to-peer education program. High School aged students learn about the safety program and then act as mentors to present the information to younger students. An unanticipated benefit of the program is that students begin to insist their parents also wear a PFD while on the water.
Expansion of the Program - KDF is a safety program that can be adopted by any community. BoatU.S. Foundation has established its own version of the program beginning in 1997. The Foundation offers grants that cover the initial establishment of PFD loaner stations, signage, and the required lifejackets. Sacramento County, California established a Kids Don't Float program for their region in 2003. Nine sites were built along the American River. PFDs are provided at no cost and users are only asked to return the lifejackets after use. PFDs are available for loan from March through October.
Consider establishing a KDF program in your community. The costs are minimal and benefits are gratifying. See the article Personal Floatation Devices for more information on this important gear.
