GRDA to Reward Life Jacket Wearers

For years, the Grand River Dam Authority Lake Patrol has made life jacket awareness a top priority. While talking to civic groups and school children, the patrol has reinforced the importance of wearing life jackets and provided education on how to select a proper jacket, how to check for proper size, etc. Now, during the summer of 2007, the patrol also plans to “catch” people who are heeding the warnings by wearing their life jackets

“The slogan has always been ‘it won’t work if you don’t wear it’,” said GRDA Lake Patrol Chief Bruce Smith, “and its true; you can’t underestimate the importance of your life jacket. And we hope this new program will help us deliver that message in a new way.”

The patrol began the program in conjunction with National Safe Boating Week in late May and plans to continue it through the summer months. While on Grand and Hudson lakes, patrolmen will be looking for people wearing their life jackets. Those they “catch” will receive a t-shirt as a reward.

“Those who are wearing their life jackets and making sure their children are wearing their life jackets are really setting an example of safe boating for everyone else on the water,” said Smith. “This t-shirt campaign is a great way to reward them for doing the right thing.”

According to the United States Coast Guard, approximately 700 people drown in recreational boating accidents. However, many of those people could have lived if only they had taken the time to put on their life jacket before heading out onto the water. In 2004, there were 676 recreational boating fatalities nationwide. Unfortunately, 90 percent of those people were not wearing life jackets.

“Boating accidents can happen so fast,” said Smith. “There’s not always time to grab a life jacket and put it on before you go into the water. Wearing the jacket not only allows you to be safe but it also gives you a better chance to help others that may need your assistance.”

While the lake patrolmen will be watching for life jacket use this summer, they also want to remind all boaters of the following important life jacket information:

• Buy your own personal life jacket and use it. One size does not fit all.
• Look at the label. It will provide weight, size and use information.
• Try it on to check the fit. Once the straps and buckles are secured, it should not slip over your head.
• Never use water toys in place of an approved life jacket.
• Check your life jacket yearly for flotation and fit.
• Wear a life jacket to set an example for younger children and to increase your chances of survival in an accident.

Finally, if you are wearing your life jacket on the lake this summer, there’s a good chance you could get “caught” and rewarded with a t-shirt from the GRDA Lake Patrol.