Officials stress importance of wearing life jackets
Memorial Day weekend means summer is just around the bend with throngs of visitors and locals alike making their way to one of the area lakes in Garland County for fun and sun.
Officials spending the summers working on or around the lakes are all in agreement in urging boaters and other water enthusiasts to take an active role in ensuring their own safety, with extra measures set in place to help facilitate an accident free weekend on the water.
Lake Ouachita personnel have personally met with local law enforcement, fire departments, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and State Park officials to discuss coordination between agencies in responding to any emergency on the lake. As usual, the Garland County Sheriff’s Department will also have officers patrolling the waters of Lake Hamilton.
“It’s going to be so busy out there and we expect our campgrounds to be fully booked all weekend. With this being the first big holiday weekend, we really want to stress boating safety,” Amy Shultz, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said.
Courtesy boat inspections will be provided at boat ramps on both Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton. The inspections are not for the purpose of writing tickets, but instead to ensure everyone going out on the lake has everything they need to safely enjoy their day.
“A lot of times, people will have new boats, or they just got it out of storage and won’t think to check if it has all the proper equipment,” said Shultz.
During the winter months, life jackets can dry rot and become unfit for use. Law enforcement agencies will be on hand at boat ramps to check jackets, she said, noting they can only save a life if in proper working condition.
Life jackets are often overlooked by the majority of boaters because they feel overconfident in their ability to swim when in reality, swimming ability has very little to do with it.
“Most drownings happen within 10 feet of safety, and Lake Ouachita is notorious for going from really shallow to really deep really fast,” Shultz said.
It takes only 60 seconds for an adult to drown, and a mere 20 seconds for children. Research collected by the USACE indicates that more often than not, people who drown had no intent of getting in the water. When someone unexpectedly falls into the water it triggers a “gasp reflex,” causing as much as one liter of water to be ingested immediately.
“I have never had to work a drowning where someone was wearing a life jacket,” said Marine Patrol Officer Richard
Green.
A proper fitting life jacket is snug, but not too tight, and should not go past your ears if lifted at the shoulders while being worn. Only jackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard are appropriate life-saving devices.
According to Shultz, jackets with both buckles and zippers work the best. Life jackets should be readily available, and not stored away in a compartment and out of reach in an emergency situation.
It’s also vital to have proper lighting, a throwable flotation device and a fire extinguisher on hand at all times. Green says in cases of emergencies, green and red glow sticks may be temporarily used in place of lighting.
A complete list of required items to have on your boat can be found on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s website at http://www.agfc.com.
Officials also caution that the same laws that apply to driving and drinking alcohol also apply to drinking and boating and law enforcement patrolling the lake can and will write tickets or make arrests as necessary just as on the street.
“People are out here to have a good time and enjoy themselves on the lake and we don’t want to ruin their weekend for them. Now if they are doing something wrong, we will issue a ticket. There have also been a few incidents where we’ve had to incarcerate people, but that usually involves drinking and boating. We are out there to make sure people are having a fun weekend,” said Green.
In an attempt to promote everyone on the lake wearing their life jackets, the district’s Water Safety Council is hosting the “Wear It to Win It”social media campaign. Starting this weekend and running until July 4, the council will look through submitted photos and choose a winner who will receive a choice between a free pavilion rental or two day camping pass.
Everyone pictured must be properly wearing their life jackets, and creativity gets bonus points. Photos may be submitted via http://facebook.com/ vicksburgUSACE and through Twitter @vicksburgdist with the hashtag #wearittowinit. A winner will be chosen every Wednesday.