Tag Archives: life jackets

With the assistance of an adult relative, a youth greatly anticipates catching another bluegill from a boat in a Midwestern lake on a summer day. Photo by Rich Wynne. It bothers me to no end that people have such cavalier excuses regarding why they don’t want to wear life jackets on the water in a boat. In my 44 years at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, I have seen my share of boating tragedies. I have seen the victims …

LINCOLN, Neb. — With soaring temperatures, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission would like to issue the following safety reminders to those out enjoying water activities. Never swim alone — Always swim with a buddy. Pay attention — Avoid distractions and focus on swim mates and the water. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children, according to the American Red Cross, and drownings can happen in seconds, as well as in shallow waters. Staying watchful — even of strong swimmers …

It bothers me to no end that people have such cavalier excuses regarding why they don’t want to wear life jackets on the water in a boat. In my 44 years at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, I have seen my share of boating tragedies. I have seen the victims of boating fatalities who were not wearing their life jackets. You never, ever forget them. Often the victims died right in front of close family members and good friends …

I got a reminder from our Boating Law Administrator that this week is the National Association of State Boating Law Administrator’s Spring Aboard Campaign to remind folks to complete a boating safety course! Yes, somewhere in my wallet is a boater safety card. . . . If you check the 2018 Boating Guide, right up front, you will find the requirements for operating a motorboat in Nebraska and the boater safety requirements: Many of you will be required to take …

Every now and then I climb up on a soapbox and “preach” a little boating safety.  With fall and cooling waters approaching, this might be a good time to do that again.  I especially like to remind us “tough guys” who might be on the water hunting, fishing or trapping by ourselves, that you really should be using a life jacket and your motor’s kill switch ALL THE TIME.  I have been on the water by myself at times too, and …

We are past the Memorial Day weekend and officially into “summer” now.  Often, by this time, I have posted a reminder about boating safety and especially wearing your life jackets.  I may be a little late with that reminder this year, but we certainly are in the middle of fishing and boating season now–still a good time to do it. I am betting most of you have life jackets in your boat like you are legally required.  But, I am …

We are in the middle of National Safe Boating Week and this is a reminder we all need! To make the point even more, take a few minutes and watch this video: I fish, I know how much us anglers hate to wear a bulky, uncomfortable, hot and sweaty life jacket.  I know, I get it.  I also know there are lots of life jacket options available now and you can put one of the inflatables on at the beginning …

I am going to “harp” on this subject again–Wear Your Life Jacket!  This is the time of year when we get some warm weather, a warm afternoon, and everyone wants to be on the water fishing.  Or, it is time to get the boat out of storage and on the water for the first time.  Every spring I see lots of folks on the water and more often than I would like to admit I see men, alone, fishing or maybe just …

Some of you are looking at the title of this blog post and thinking to yourselves that I am crazy.  For the record, I am, crazy that is.  Secondly, there are times where I literally do wear my life jacket to work! But more specifically today, May 16, 2014 is National Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day! This annual event, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) serves as a fun, educational way to kick off National Safe …

May 18-24 is National Safe Boating Week, http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/index.html . This is a good reminder for all of us. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSoyoGzSgRc[/youtube] I have seen some statistics on boating accidents in Nebraska last year.  There were 8 boating and boating-related fatalities last year; in 5 of those 8 cases a life jacket would have been a life saver if it had been worn!  In the other 3 cases traumatic injury was the cause of the fatality.