Life Jacket Laws for Paddle Boarding by State (Alphabetical Order)
Stay safe and compliant! This alphabetical guide breaks down every U.S. state’s paddle board life jacket laws — including extra safety gear requirements and links to official resources.
Alphabetical, state-by-state guide to life jacket laws for paddle boarding, with child rules, whistle requirements, local variations, and official links.
Check current regulations for your specific waterway before you paddle.
Paddle Boarding Life Jacket Laws
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article regarding life jacket laws for paddle boarding is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. However, laws and regulations are subject to change, and this article does not include every body of water's specific rules or extra regulations (e.g., Causey Reservoir in Utah). It is the reader's responsibility to verify the current laws and any special regulations for the specific body of water they plan to use. Always check with local authorities, state agencies, or official resources to ensure compliance with the most up-to-date requirements. Safety on the water is paramount, and staying informed is key to a safe and enjoyable experience.
Table of contents
State-by-State Laws
Alabama
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General Law: Life jackets must be available for each person on the paddle board. Children under 8 must wear a life jacket at all times.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Tennessee River, additional safety equipment like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Alabama Marine Police
Alaska
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General Law: Life jackets are required for all paddle boarders, regardless of age.
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Extra Restrictions: In glacial waters, a dry suit or wet suit is also recommended.
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Official State Law: Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Arizona
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General Law: Life jackets must be on board for each person. Children under 12 must wear them at all times.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Powell, additional safety gear like a sound-producing device is required.
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Official State Law: Arizona Game and Fish Department
Arkansas
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Buffalo National River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
California
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: In San Francisco Bay, additional safety gear like a leash is recommended.
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Official State Law: California Division of Boating and Waterways
Colorado
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Colorado River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Connecticut
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Connecticut River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Delaware
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: In the Delaware Bay, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
Florida
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 6. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: In the Florida Keys, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Georgia
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Lanier, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Hawaii
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: In Waikiki, additional safety gear like a leash is recommended.
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Official State Law: Hawaii Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation
Idaho
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 14. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Snake River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Illinois
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Michigan, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Indiana
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Ohio River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Iowa
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Mississippi River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Kansas
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On Tuttle Creek Lake, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
Kentucky
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Kentucky River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Louisiana
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 16. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: In the Atchafalaya Basin, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Maine
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Maryland
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 7. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Chesapeake Bay, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Massachusetts
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Charles River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Massachusetts Environmental Police
Michigan
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 6. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Great Lakes, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Boundary Waters, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Mississippi
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Mississippi River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Missouri
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 7. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Missouri River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Missouri Department of Conservation
Montana
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Yellowstone River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Nebraska
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Platte River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Nevada
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Mead, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Nevada Department of Wildlife
New Hampshire
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Winnipesaukee, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: New Hampshire Marine Patrol
New Jersey
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Delaware River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau
New Mexico
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General Law:
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Children under 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the vessel is underway, unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
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All vessels must have at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board.
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Extra Restrictions:
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Every person boating on a river must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
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Operators of kayaks or canoes must have a sound-producing device (e.g., whistle or horn) on board.
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Official State Law: New Mexico State Parks
New York
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Hudson River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
North Carolina
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Outer Banks, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
North Dakota
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Missouri River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Ohio
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 10. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Erie, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Oklahoma
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Arkansas River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Oregon
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Columbia River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Oregon State Marine Board
Pennsylvania
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Delaware River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Rhode Island
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On Narragansett Bay, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
South Carolina
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Murray, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
South Dakota
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 7. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Missouri River, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Tennessee
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Tennessee River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Texas
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Travis, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Texas Parks and Wildlife
Utah
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Colorado River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Utah State Parks
Vermont
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Champlain, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife
Virginia
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the James River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Washington
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On Puget Sound, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Washington State Parks
West Virginia
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the New River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Wisconsin
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On Lake Michigan, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wyoming
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Snake River, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
FAQs
Do you need a life jacket on a paddle board?
Outside of surf or swim zones, a paddle board is treated as a vessel. You must at least carry a USCG-approved PFD; in some places, wearing it is mandatory.
What ages must wear a life jacket?
Varies by state—often under 12 or 13 must wear at all times. Check the state section and verify locally.
Which life jacket types are approved for paddle boarding?
USCG-approved Type III (inherently buoyant) or Type V (special-use) worn as labeled for paddle sports. Ensure proper size and fit.
Are inflatable belt-pack PFDs legal?
Usually yes for adults, if USCG-approved and worn as directed. Most states don’t allow inflatables for children.
Do I need a whistle on a paddle board?
In many jurisdictions, yes—a sound-producing device (e.g., pea-less whistle) is required outside surf/swim zones.
Do I need lights for night paddling?
Yes. Carry at least a white light (flashlight or headlamp) visible to others; some areas require 360° visibility.
Is a leash required?
Often recommended and sometimes required by local rules. Use the right style: quick-release for rivers/current, coiled for flatwater.
What are the fines for breaking life jacket laws?
Penalties vary by state and waterway and can include tickets and fines. When in doubt, wear your PFD.
Do rental boards include legal safety gear?
Rentals typically provide a USCG-approved PFD and whistle, but it’s your responsibility to ensure you have and use them correctly.
Are dogs required to wear life jackets?
Pet PFDs aren’t part of state human PFD laws, but they’re strongly recommended for safety and visibility.
Rivers vs. lakes—are rules different?
They can be. Many rivers and specific waterways add stricter rules (mandatory wear, whistle, specialized leashes). Always check local authority pages.
How should I wear a PFD with a wetsuit or dry suit?
Wear the PFD on top of thermal layers. Ensure a snug fit and full range of motion for paddling.
US Territories
Puerto Rico
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Caribbean Sea, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
US Virgin Islands
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Atlantic Ocean, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Guam
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Pacific Ocean, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Guam Department of Agriculture
American Samoa
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 13. Adults must have one accessible.
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Extra Restrictions: On the South Pacific Ocean, life jackets are mandatory for all ages.
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Official State Law: American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources
Northern Mariana Islands
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General Law: Life jackets are required for children under 12. Adults must have one on board.
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Extra Restrictions: On the Pacific Ocean, additional safety gear like a whistle is required.
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Official State Law: Northern Mariana Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife
Ken Driscoll
Serial entrepreneur, passionate paddler, and co-owner of Glide.
