Even children who can swim should wear them. The same goes for adults who are boating. Many people dont recognize the power of river water. Many of the adolescents who died were thrill-seekers or were flirting with danger, such as dancing on the edge of a cliff or climbing up dangerous areas. Mountain biking without wearing helmets, which is very common among youths, has also caused death or severe head injury after falls.
Small children are at increased risk of both hypothermia and heat injury.
Keep in mind that if children are being carried in cool weather, they will need more clothes than adults and might not communicate their discomfort. Bring hats and sunscreen for them as well as yourself. Young children can easily wander off, so its a good idea to put bells on the shoes of toddlers and give older children a whistle to blow in case they get lost. They should be taught to stay put if they get lost, and to respond to calls and voices if they have been trained to be wary of strangers. When walking on a trail, never let children out of your sight, cautions Diekema.