LAKE COUNTY ? The 2010 recreational boating season will soon be upon us and with the spring break starting next week, the Lake County Sheriff”s Marine Patrol and the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is reminding the boating community of the importance of life jackets, otherwise known as personal flotation devices (PFDs).
Boating is typically a big part of spring break and the changing of the seasons in Lake County. Today”s PFDs are technologically advanced, making them more convenient and less restrictive so there”s no reason why boaters can”t have fun on the water while also choosing to wear a life jacket and help ensure they return from their outings safely.
Of the boating fatalities that occurred in 2009, 67 percent of the victims drowned. Of that group, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket.
“Knowing how to swim” is one of the most common reasons given for not wearing a life jacket and being a good swimmer tends to give boaters a false sense of security.
A good swimmer with a serious injury or who is unexpectedly knocked unconscious however, cannot keep themselves afloat and are unnecessarily putting themselves at risk by not wearing a flotation device. Other factors that can affect swimming ability include cold water immersion, heavy clothing or alcohol consumption.
Boaters are also reminded of some life jacket laws that can save their lives:
?A new boating law states that children “under age 13” must wear a life jacket when on a vessel that is 26 feet or less in length.
?Every person on board a personal watercraft (popularly known as “jet skis”) and any person being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
?No person can operate any vessel, water skis or similar device under the influence of drugs or who has an alcohol level of .08 percent or more.
Boaters interested in further information about life jackets or other boating laws, can visit www.dbw.ca.gov or call (888) 326-2822.
