Friends Don't Let Friends
Go Without A Lifejacket
The Coast Guard Auxiliary recommends that the best way to
prevent tragedy on the water is to - "Just Wear It"
SACRAMENTO - In the wake of a
recent tragedy in Northern California, where
three people died as a result of not wearing lifejackets, and in preparation
for the upcoming boating season , the Coast Guard Auxiliary wants to remind
the boating public and others who live, work or play around the water -
friends don't let friends go without a lifejacket. Whether you plan to go
fishing, hunting, waterskiing, or just want to enjoy a day on or around the
water, the single most import thing you can do to prevent a tragedy is to
"just wear it."
The statistics are fairly consistent in that each year, in that between 80
and 90 percent of those who die in a boating accident drown. An
overwhelming number of these drowning victims were not wearing
lifejackets. Most boating safety experts believe that the majority of
these deaths could have been prevented, if only the droning victim had
simply been wearing a properly fitted life jacket. Wearing a lifejacket on
a boat is akin to wearing a seat belt in your car. Just as you shouldn't
start your journey in you car without bucking up, you need to wear your
lifejacket anytime you are on or near the water.
While the law requires most children to "just wear it," there are no rules
for wearing life jackets for adults. In fact, the life jacket wear rate
for adults is believed to be somewhere around five percent, far below the
wear rate for seatbelts. The lifejackets of old were bulky and
uncomfortable, but today, there are may styles to choose from, including
inflatable lifejackets, that offer a maximum amount of comfort and
buoyancy.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary urges all boaters, including sailors and paddle
craft operators, to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times
when on or near the water. Moreover, so that they can be prepared to
deal with emergencies, such as a person falling overboard, it is strongly
recommended that they take a boating safety course approved by the
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. To find a
boating safety class in your area, call 1-877-875-6296, or visit http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/index.html
. -###- For photos of various lifejacket types, visit
http://www.uscgboating.org/IMAGEMANAGER/search_results.aspx
and select lifejackets in the image category.
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