Submitted Photo North Dakota state law does require children 10 and under to wear a life jacket in boats under 27 feet. Photo from NDGF.

You wouldn’t wait until after the opening weekend of pheasant season to brush up on firearm safety. You take hunter education before you hunt. You check your firearm, review the rules and head into the field prepared. The same mindset belongs on the water.

Because here’s the truth: if your day on the lake or river isn’t safe, nothing else really matters. Not the sunshine, not the peaceful quiet, not even the fish in the livewell. A successful day outdoors always starts with making sure everyone gets home safely.

I grew up in a time when safety wasn’t front and center. No bike helmets. Seat belts weren’t always the first thing people reached for. Life jackets were more likely to be used as a cushion than something you actually wore. For all the wrong reasons, we treated that like a badge of honor.

Times change. Or at least they should.

Most people today would agree safety isn’t an afterthought anymore. It’s part of the routine. Buckle your seat belt. Put on your bike helmet. Wear hearing protection at the shooting range. Those habits become second nature because they help prevent tragedies before they happen. Wearing a life jacket should be no different.

One thing that still surprises many people is that North Dakota law doesn’t require most adults to wear a life jacket while boating. When you think about how we view seat belts, that seems a little backwards. In both cases, putting one on after something goes wrong doesn’t do much good.

Yes, wearing one is ultimately a personal choice. I understand that. But your family and friends would probably agree they’d rather have you home safely at the end of the day than hear someone say, “If only.”

A life jacket only works if you’re wearing it before you need it.

The good news is today’s life jackets aren’t what they used to be. They’re lighter, more comfortable and designed for nearly every activity, whether you’re fishing, paddling, kayaking, skiing or simply enjoying a ride around the lake. Some inflatable models are so comfortable you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing one. The old excuses don’t hold much water anymore. Pardon the pun.

And if cost gives you pause, it’s worth asking one simple question: What’s a life worth?

North Dakota law requires children age 10 and younger to wear a properly fitted life jacket aboard boats shorter than 27 feet. A properly fitting life jacket also must be available for every person on board. Anyone operating or riding a personal watercraft, or anyone being towed on water skis or an inflatable tube must wear one.

Beyond the legal requirements are practical choices. Skiers and tubers should choose jackets with secure straps. Anglers and paddlers are better off with lightweight models comfortable enough to wear all day. The best life jacket is the one you’ll actually wear.

Safety starts before the emergency begins. Prepare before leaving the dock and return home safely with family, friends and memories that last years.