WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - August 10, 2010) - Boaters whose lives have been saved as a result of wearing a life jacket are supporting the call for all Americans to wear a life jacket each and every time they are on the water. As part of the 2010 North American Safe Boating Campaign, boaters are asked to submit their personal stories of survival to illustrate the simple, lifesaving step of wearing a life jacket while boating.
"Approximately 90 percent of those who drown during a recreational boating accident are not wearing a life jacket," says Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. "Boating activities are meant to be fun, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be responsible. Routine and consistent life jacket wear is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent a boating tragedy."
Ed Torrance and 11 members of his family provide just one recent example of how life jackets have saved lives. Torrance and his family were boating on Lake Mohave in Nevada in early August when strong winds and three-foot swells capsized their boat. Torrance and his family were all wearing life jackets which kept them above water fighting strong currents for nearly 30 minutes until help arrived. Torrance says only one thing saved his family from becoming a statistic.
"We had our life jackets on, they were properly fitted," Torrance told KLAS-TV in Las Vegas shortly after the incident. "Everybody had them on. That got 12 people out of the water."
Torrance now hopes his story will inspire others to wear life jackets each and every time they are on the water.
"Boaters like the Torrance family have learned the importance of wearing a life jacket, but we want their stories to inspire others," Chambers said. "What many people don't realize is that life jackets are available in a wide variety of compact, lightweight and attractive styles, including new inflatable styles, suitable for constant wear. Be a survivor: Wear It!"
The "Be a Survivor: Wear It!!" contest runs through September 6. Winners will be announced on October 31, 2010. Entry submissions and contest details may be found at http://safeboatingcampaign.com/survivor.htm. Two grand prize winners will win a "Summer Fun" package that includes an inflatable life jacket, "Wear It!" beach towel and a Flip MinoHD™ to record all your summer adventures! Every eligible entrant will receive a free boating safety product, encouraging safer boating and life jacket wear.
All stories also have the chance of being included in the NSBC's Saved by the Jacket publication -- the Saved by the Jacket series includes real-life stories from boaters that have been "saved by the jacket." To read more inspirational survivor stories, please visit http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/sbjacket/sbtjmain.htm and don't miss the chance to tell your own story!
About the National Safe Boating Council
The National Safe Boating Council represents over 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations committed to reducing boating accidents and enhancing the boating experience. Visit www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com for campaign materials and additional safe boating resources. The North American Safe Boating Campaign unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the many members of the National Safe Boating Council. The campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
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