Life Jacket Wear Is Simple Life-Saving Strategy For Safe Recreational Boating

As the weather starts to warm up, we’re all anxious to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Families and friends gather together to enjoy the outdoors, travel on vacation and spend time on the water — boating, fishing, sailing, and more. It’s important to remember the safety precautions to take during all of these recreational water activities.

But, with approximately 500 people drowning each year from recreational boating accidents, it is imperative to push the message of “Wear It!”: Wear your life jacket at all times while you are on the water.

This year during National Safe Boating Week, and throughout the boating season, the National Safe Boating Council is working with their partner organizations to encourage safe and responsible boating, including the practice of always wearing a life jacket, and being alert and aware while on the water.

Safe boating saves lives — so, for this year’s National Safe Boating Week (May 18-24) and throughout the boating season, remember to “Wear It!”

Last year, the National Safe Boating Council created a video PSA, “Casting Off,” sharing the experience of three friends and a dog as they get ready to spend the day on the water and the significance of a simple reminder to wear a life jacket.

This tongue-in-cheek video PSA shares the life-saving importance of sharing boating safety, including wearing a life jacket, while enjoying recreational boating activities with your family and friends — and yes, your pets aboard too.

“Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket,” said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “It’s important that everyone wears a life jacket while on the water. There's no reason why you, your family and friends, can't have fun on the water while also choosing to always wear a life jacket.”

Here are a few boating safety tips to keep in mind this boating season:

1. No matter what activity you have planned — boating, fishing sailing, etc. — always remember to wear a life jacket every time you are on the water.

2. Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard-approved and properly fits. Double check that your life jacket is appropriate for your favorite boating activities.

3. Life jackets meant for adults do not work for children. If you are boating with children, make sure they are wearing properly fitted, child-sized life jackets. Do not buy a life jacket for your child to “grow into.”

For more safe boating tips, watch this video as three friends and their dog get ready to spend the day on the water and are reminded by the women in their lives about the importance of boating safety and life jacket wear: http://www.youtube.com/embed/tSoyoGzSgRc.

“A life jacket can't save your life unless you “Wear It!,” continued Chambers. “With today’s variety of comfortable, stylish life jackets, there’s a life jacket for everyone — even our four-legged friends! No matter the water activity or life jacket style chosen — and always remember to ‘Wear It!’”

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2010, and that 88 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. That’s why boating safety advocates continue to push for increased and consistent life jacket wear on the water.

Please be sure to also check out the North American Safe Boating Campaign on our social networks:

Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/SafeBoatCampaign]

Twitter [http://twitter.com/ - !/BoatingCampaign]

YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/user/OutreachNSBC]

Safe Summer Pledge [http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/camp-pledge.htm]

About The North American Safe Boating Campaign

The North American Safe Boating Campaign unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including NASBLA, the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the many members of the National Safe Boating Council. The campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. Partners hold local events, teach classes, distribute educational materials and perform free Vessel Safety Checks, among other activities.

About The National Safe Boating Council

The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education, outreach, and training. The NSBC accomplishes this mission by promoting outreach and research initiatives that support boating education and safety awareness; improving the professional development of boating safety educators through training; and developing and recognizing outstanding boating safety programs. To learn more about the NSBC and its programs, visit http://www.SafeBoatingCouncil.org.

Media Contact:

Yvonne Pentz

Paul Werth Associates

Media Inquires: (440) 670-1294

Main Office: (614) 224-8114

ypentz@paulwerth.com

Organization Contacts:

Rachel Johnson

National Safe Boating Council

Office: (703) 361-4294

outreach@SafeBoatingCouncil.org