Pittsburgh District Begins Water Safety Week by Helping to Break World Record
PITTSBURGH, Pa — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will begin National Safe Boating Week here by participating in the Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day May 20.
The event is held throughout the world and is aims to beat the 2015 world record of 10,917 life jackets worn during that day.
Participants will post a picture wearing their lifejacket’s on Pittsburgh District Facebook page so they can be included in the final count.
The district will also participate in the “Wear Your Lifejacket to Work Day” May 19. The annual event, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council serves as a fun, educational element just prior to National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26, the official launch of the 2017 North American Safe Boating Campaign. Educating the boating public about the safety and comfort of life jackets has been a main focus of the campaign.
This timing positions the campaign just before the Memorial Day weekend, the “unofficial start of summer” when in the upper states the water is dangerously cold and throughout America, historically, many boating incidents occur.
Public safety is the number-one priority of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District. The district urges anyone planning to be on or around water to practice boating and water safety.
Life jackets save lives and should be worn at all times by anyone who is boating and waterfowl hunting or fishing. Statistics show that nearly 90 percent of people who drown were not wearing a life jacket and nearly two-thirds didn’t plan to be in the water.
If you are planning on being outdoors near or on the water, dress appropriately for the water temperature – not the air temperature just in case you capsize or are thrown from the boat. You could be in cold water and unable to swim in a short period of time because your muscles will get cold and you will lose the ability to rescue yourself. Many drowning victims actually die from cold water immersion instead of hypothermia.
It is important for all boaters to wear a life jacket. Avoid boating alone and let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. Check the capacity plate and don’t overload your boat. Dress for the water temperature, and know how to minimize heat loss if you end up in the water. Visit www.CorpsLakes.us/watersafety for more information that could save your life or the life of someone you love.
For more information regarding other events happening during National Safe Boating week at a Corps facility near you please check out this link http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lakes/.
For media inquiries, contact the Public Affairs Office at 412-395-7500 or email: celrp-pa@usace.army.mil.
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