LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –Pop quiz. Which is more dangerous, walking down a dark alley just after midnight or skimming the surface of a lake in a motor boat on a sunny afternoon? Answer. One may be as bad as the other if you don’t wear a life jacket when you boat.
Dark alleys look dangerous. Lakes and rivers often don’t. But looks can be deceiving. These inviting bodies of water can harbor many unseen dangers.
Victims of boating accidents have one thing in common – they intend to be in the boat, not the water. But in the blink of an eye, they unexpectedly fall or are thrown overboard. Without a life jacket, far too many drown.
The law requires that one life jacket be on board for each occupant, but it doesn’t require boaters to wear them, unless you are 12 years old and younger. Thus, many folks have a false sense of security with their life jacket under a seat or on the floor.
Boating accidents happen instantly. Boats can strike unseen obstacles and throw passengers out, or the waves can swamp or overturn a boat. If this happens and you’re not wearing a life jacket, it’s too late. You can’t get to one.
Even if you’re normally a strong swimmer, you are likely to be stunned or injured and unable to swim. A life jacket may be the only difference between living and dying.
Officials of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Little Rock District urge everyone to wear life jackets when boating. Wearing a life jacket can help take the ‘dark alley’ out of boating.
For more boating safety tips visit www.swl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Water-Safety/.
Release no. 18-112