Wear Your Life Jacket!

National statistics show 79% of those killed in boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket. Last year in Missouri that number was closer to 90% of boating fatality victims not wearing a life jacket. Missouri law requires boaters to have a life jacket on board and accessible for each occupant of the boat. Children under the age of seven are required to wear a life jacket whenever they are on a boat unless they are in the cabin area of a house boat or cruiser. All jet ski and personal watercraft users are required to wear life jackets anytime they are underway. The simple act of choosing to wear a life jacket has made a huge difference for many accident survivors.

Governor Jay Nixon issued a proclamation designating the week of May 16-22 as Safe Boating Week in Missouri. This will coincide with the National Safe Boating Campaign. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division played an active role in this campaign the week before Memorial Day Weekend. The goal of the campaign is to encourage boaters to pay extra attention to boating safety, and to always wear their life jackets.

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The Water Patrol participates in life jacket promotion and giveaway programs throughout the state. The Water Patrol has teamed up with the Army Corp of Engineers, Camden County Health Department, Skaggs Regional Medical Center, and the Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Council to give away more than 500 life jackets over the summer. The Water Patrol along with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will be taking part in the "Bass Pro Shop Fit to Float" life jacket trade in promotion this weekend. There will be officers from the Water Patrol or the Coast Guard Auxiliary at each Bass Pro Shop location in Missouri to educate the public on the proper fit and use of life jackets on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 & 17. There will also be a discount offered on new life jackets with the trade in of an older life jacket.

The life jacket industry has made great advancements in styles and comfort for recreational boaters. There are self inflating models available for adults that can be worn as light suspenders or even as small fanny pack pouch styles that can be worn around the waist. It is key for boaters to be familiar with their life jackets and ensure they fit properly. The most common error for youth life jackets is allowing children to wear ones that are too big. If a child's life jacket is too big or not tightened properly it may not support their head above the water line. Many children's life jackets are available with popular characters to encourage kids to wearing them. Of course, the best way to encourage kids to wear a life jacket is for adults to lead by example and wear life jackets themselves. For more information on life jacket styles and proper fit visit the North American Safe Boating Campaign web site at:

http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/new-jacket-pages/recreational-jackets.htm