Utah Officials Remind Watercraft Users to Wear Life Jackets
By Annie Knox, Utah News Dispatch · August 1, 2026 · 1 min read
AI-written from public sourcesWritten by Utah News AI and quality-checked before publishing.
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State officials are emphasizing that carrying a life jacket is insufficient and that individuals must actually wear them while on the water. Regulations require life jackets for children under 13 and those participating in certain water activities.
Key takeaways
State officials state that wearing a life jacket is necessary, not just carrying one.
Life jackets are required for children until they are 13 years old.
Mandatory life jacket use applies to anyone on Utah rivers.
Individuals being towed on water skis or inner tubes must wear life jackets.
State officials in Utah are reminding the public that simply bringing a life jacket to the water is not enough, emphasizing that individuals must actually wear them.
According to officials, safety requires active use of life-saving equipment rather than just having it on hand.
Utah regulations require life jackets for children until they reach age 13.
Additionally, life jackets are mandatory for anyone on the state's rivers. The requirement also extends to individuals being towed, which includes those using water skis or an inner tube.
