Station House BSL - September 2015 - The Shoofly Magazine

Station House BSL - September 2015

9/1/2015

Personal Flotation Devices - what you don't wear may hurt you.

We have lots of excuses not to wear them, but this statistic may change your view: eight out of ten boating deaths could have been prevented. Chief Pam San Fillippo makes a persuasive case for life vests.

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Sailing, fishing, kayaking, water skiing—summer is still here, and the last big summer holiday, Labor Day, is right around the corner (and in a few weeks, it’ll be time for some fall fishing!). Many of us—and thousands of visitors—hit our waterways every year with big plans for fun in the sun. The river and the bay, beaches and bayous, our beautiful harbor, the seawall and fishing piers—water is all around us, and we sure know how to enjoy it.

In fact, we’re so used to being around water we don’t think twice about taking a quick boat ride with friends or going on a last minute all-day fishing trip. And some of us don’t think twice about having a few “cold ones” to quench our thirst while we fish or sail.

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And there’s the problem first responders see all the time: someone just doesn’t think. We forget how dangerous water activities are, and we don’t think before we act. Out on the water “not thinking” is a recipe for disaster, and anyone who has lived near the water has seen or heard of water-related accidents and deaths. I know I sure have, and I can tell you most of them just didn’t have to happen, especially the ones that involved drinking and boating.

Did you know that 80% of boating deaths could have been prevented if a life jacket, or “PFD” (personal flotation device) had been worn?

Yes, 8 out of 10 deaths, preventable by simply wearing a life jacket. That’s a statistic that’s hard to argue with, yet we use every excuse imaginable for not wearing one: “They’re uncomfortable,” “They’re hot,” “I grew up on the water; I can swim like a fish.” Sorry, no excuses accepted. PFD’s have come a long way. They come in all shapes and sizes, and some are even like collars instead of a jacket.

Here are a few do’s and don’ts that can help keep your time on the water safe and enjoyable:

DO wear a Personal Flotation Device (life jacket)!
DON’T BUI (Boat Under the Influence): it is deadly, and illegal. Agree to a designated driver before you leave the dock or when you plan your trip. It just might save the lives of everyone in the boat.
DO let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return; monitor the weather.
DON’T swim or boat alone. It just isn’t safe. Another person to help, or to get help, could save a life.
DO teach kids to respect the water and make them follow safety practices. There’s rarely a second chance out on the water.

No one has better information on how to prevent deaths and accidents on the water than the United States Coast Guard. Please visit their website for more information.

Read about pet safety on the water in this month's Puppy Dog Tales column!