{"id":11037,"date":"2016-03-07T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-03-08T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/?p=11037"},"modified":"2016-03-07T17:21:31","modified_gmt":"2016-03-07T23:21:31","slug":"u-s-corps-of-engineers-launches-new-water-safety-campaign-life-jackets-worn-nobody-mourns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/2016\/03\/07\/u-s-corps-of-engineers-launches-new-water-safety-campaign-life-jackets-worn-nobody-mourns\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Corps of Engineers launches new water safety campaign \u2018Life Jackets Worn – Nobody Mourns\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Mark Rankin<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District<\/p>\n

\"U.S.Nashville, TN<\/strong> – Every year thousands of people in the United States mourn the loss of loved ones who could have survived if they had been wearing a life jacket while spending time on or near our nation\u2019s waters. To heighten awareness, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently launched a national water safety campaign titled \u201cLife Jackets Worn – Nobody Mourns.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Corps, in cooperation with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resources and Education Foundation, a non-profit foundation established to support Corps natural resources and recreation programs, developed the campaign that specifically targets adult males.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a>

Two young swimmers place life vests from the Life Jacket Loaner board at the Cheatham Dam beach area in Ashland City, Tennessee. (Mark Rankin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District)<\/p><\/div>\n

In the last 10 years, 88 percent of all Corps public water-related fatalities were men and 68 percent were between the ages of 20 and 60, according to data compiled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Operations Center for Water Safety.<\/p>\n

The center also reports that 84 percent of all public water-related fatalities involved people not wearing life jackets and found that the greatest number of water-related fatalities involved people swimming in areas that are not designated for swimming. Also, 27 percent of boating fatalities involved people falling overboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife jackets do save lives and wearing your life jacket is the number one thing to do that will keep you safe while boating, fishing, or swimming,\u201d said Mark Klimaszewski, water safety manager in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District\u2019s Natural Resources Management Branch.<\/p>\n

\"Life<\/a>During the 2015 recreation season 14 people lost their lives at the Nashville District\u2019s 10 lakes in the Cumberland River basin. Of those, all were not wearing a life jacket, said Klimaszewski.<\/p>\n

Klimaszewski said life jackets save lives by keeping people afloat and providing time for rescue after entering the water.<\/p>\n

When selecting a life jacket, he said it\u2019s important to make sure people size it right and buckle it up.<\/p>\n

Children should not be put on a life jacket that is too big because it will slip over their head if they fall in the water and they could drown. Life jackets are categorized by a person\u2019s weight and it should be tested to make sure it fits snug.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone still doesn\u2019t know how and when to wear a life jacket, ask a park ranger at the lake who can help you get it right,\u201d Klimaszewski stressed.
\nBoaters, especially occupants of fishing boats, are often observed not wearing life jackets when recreating on Corps lakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany fishermen don\u2019t like to wear the life jacket while they are fishing because it makes them uncomfortable,\u201d said Nashville District Park Ranger Richard Rice.<\/p>\n

Last week, Rice recorded several public service announcements that will be distributed this recreation season through social media channels, the internet and local television stations.<\/p>\n

[320right]\u201cWhile we cannot control the individual actions of our 33 million annual visitors, we are doing everything we can to help them make wise, but easy choices, that can save their lives when recreating on Corps facilities,\u201d said Rice.<\/p>\n

Rice said at Corps lakes most people who drown never intended to be in the water; accidents happen and they unexpectedly fall from a boat or slip off a dock into the water. When this happens, a person will reflexively gasp and can inhale up to one liter of water and drown in less than a minute.<\/p>\n

According to Rice, while patrolling rangers check to see if boaters have U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets that is required for each person aboard, if boats are overloaded or overpowered, and if they have the required safety equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s our job to help protect the public on the water from others and sometimes themselves, whenever possible,\u201d said Rice.<\/p>\n

Klimaszewski said along with wearing a life jacket, increased education and voluntary compliance with water safety practices is preferable to everyone.
\nHe said it\u2019s important to operate a vessel safely and swim within personal limits in approved areas. Be sure to swim with a friend or buddy at all times, refrain from cliff diving, and always maintain safe distances from dams during water releases.<\/p>\n

\u201cLosing a life is tragic and one death is one too many. So we cannot over-emphasize the need to wear life jackets when on or around the water\u201d said Klimaszewski.<\/p>\n

The Corps also released a water safety PSA for the campaign featuring the country music duo LoCash urging fans to be safe when recreating on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waterways with the \u201cI Love This Life Jacket\u201d message, a spinoff from the title of their smash hit \u201cI Love This Life.\u201d<\/p>\n

[youtube]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=g3-Hj8e6pRM[\/youtube]<\/a><\/p>\n

USACE is the largest federal provider of water-based outdoor recreation, managing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states and hosting more than 370 million visits per year.<\/p>\n

The Nashville District operates 10 lakes and manages 146 recreation areas campgrounds in the Cumberland River Basin. Boating, fishing and swimming are warm water favorites but sadly more than 150 people drown at Corps parks each year.<\/p>\n

The USACE National Operations Center for Water Safety offer these safety reminders when on or near the water:<\/strong><\/p>\n