| OSMB News |
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| For Immediate Release |
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5/15/08
Look at Life Jackets in a Whole New Way
National Safe Boating week is coming up May 17-23, and the Marine Board has three main points that may encourage boaters and anglers to wear a life jacket every time they hit the water. Common excuses are “they’re uncomfortable, they’re only needed for bad weather, and I know how to swim.” But the good reasons to wear a life jacket far outweigh the reasons not to.
“With the snow melt adding to water levels, most of Oregon’s waterways are extremely cold,” says Ashley Massey, Public Affairs Specialist for the Marine Board. “Our waterways are cold year-round, but when it’s hot outside, the lure to cool off in the water is only natural. It’s not hypothermia that usually gets people, it’s the initial cold water shock and swim failure after a few minutes that causes them to drown in the first few minutes of an accident,” Massey adds. Wearing a life jacket will keep you warm and afloat long enough for either self-rescue or rescue by others.
So far there have been five recreational boating fatalities in Oregon, and unfortunately, not one of the victims was wearing a life jacket. “Life jackets greatly increase your chances of survival,” Massey says.
A 2007 Boat U.S. Foundation study of California boaters showed that about three out of every five say that they would wear a life jacket if they were more comfortable. Comfortable designs have been available for years, so there’s a good chance these boaters haven’t looked lately. Newer vest-style inflatable life jackets allow complete freedom of movement with buoyancy pockets placed low on the body, allowing for unimpeded movement. Many inflatable life jackets also come in a variety of colors and styles that appeal to hunters, anglers, children and any other boater.
The same California study showed that boaters understand the need to put on a life jacket in bad weather, but that’s not when most boaters get into trouble. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that most boating accidents occur when conditions are calm (waves less than six inches), winds light (less than six miles per hour) and good visibility.
“Remember the days when few motorists chose to wear their seat belts,” asks Massey. “In just a few years, most American motorists have made it a habit to fasten their seatbelt. Highway deaths have dramatically decreased. Boaters need to make wearing a life jacket part of their boating routine, because drowning is preventable.”
To learn more about life jackets, go to http://www.boatus.com/foundation/toolbox or http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/safety/Lifejacket.shtml.
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