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Wearing Your Life Jacket to Work This Friday Kicks off Boating Safety Week

jeff rawlinson May 15, 2013 Leave a comment

Friday, May 17th, is National Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day.  Show your friends and colleagues your outdoor side and strap on a life jacket with the rest of us.  Let everyone know you are an outdoor nut and that you stand for safety.  Plus….some of these jackets are just plain cool to wear!

Boating Safety Tips:

* Always wear a life jacket while in a boat on the water

* All boater ages 13 younger and anyone using a PWC are required by law to wear a United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device

* Persons being towed by a boat on skis, a tube, or other similar device must also wear a United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device

* Make sure the life jacket you strap on a child actually fits them….chances are when you need a life jacket you really need it to fit!

* Inspect life jackets each time you wear them and discard if excessively worn or damaged

* Avoid alcohol when operating a boat

* Make sure your boat has the require safety equipment – Life jackets, throw cushions, fire extinguishers, and bailing devices are required in most boats (for a complete list of safety equipment check out the 2013 Boating Guide at BoatSafeNebraska.org)

* Boat operators should constantly scan the area and be aware of their surroundings

* Take a Boater Education Class – Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1985, who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska must have successfully completed the Nebraska boating safety course. Visit BoatSafeNebraska.org for a list of classes (I bet even you seasoned boaters would learn something from this awesome course).

Don't tell me life jackets can't look cool!

About jeff rawlinson

Jeff is the Education Manager in the Communications Division with Game and Parks where he has worked for the last 15 years. He oversees the Hunter Education, Boater Education, Hunter Outreach and Shooting Range Development for the Commission and is a devout hunter, angler, wildlife viewer, naturalist, father and husband. He holds a BS and MS from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He has been a Hunter Education Instructor for over 20 years, NRA firearms instructor and range officer, National Archery in the Schools Program Archery Instructor Specialist and member of the National NASP Board, sits on the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Hunter Recruitment and Retention Committee and Education Committee. Jeff is an avid handgun hunter, loves to chase turkeys in the spring, squirrel hunting enthusiast and philosopher of the outdoors. He is an avid shooter and loves to spend outdoor time with family and friends. He has a passion for exciting others about the outdoors. A history buff, Jeff is a strong supporter of our North American Model of Conservation and tries to spread the message of its importance and relevance every chance he gets.

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