Kids Don’t Float Loaner Board Program

The Kids Don't Float Life Jacket Loaner Board Program was developed to address Alaska's high incidence of childhood drowning. The program was started in 1996 by a group in Homer, Alaska. The stations, or "loaner boards," are established at harbors and public boat access areas throughout the state. The loaner boards display life jackets that can be borrowed at no cost and returned after use.

Have you or someone you know been saved during a boating incident in part by a KDF life jacket? Please fill out this form to let us know:

https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5477475/Did-a-life-jacket-save-your-life

What is a Loaner Board?

In a collaborative effort between several state and federal agencies, organizations, and local grass-roots sponsors, the Kids Don't Float Program includes a life jacket loaner board component and an educational component. The Kids Don't Float Life Jacket Loaner Board Program provides an instructional guide and program samples, signs, and life jackets. The loaner boards are established at harbors and public boat access areas throughout the state and display life jackets that can be borrowed at no cost and returned after use. To establish a loaner board, each sponsor will need to first check with landowners to ensure a loaner board can be installed, along with checking to see if there is already an existing board. Once a board is installed, the sponsor is responsible for keeping track of the life jackets and their serviceability.