2015 North American Safe Boating Campaign

Transcription

1 2015 North American Safe Boating Campaign General Resource Kit safeboatingcampaign.com

2 Contents Introduction to Wear It! 3 Campaign Partners 4 Overview Press Release 5 Recreational Boating Safety Facts 6 7 Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day 8 Life Jacket Facts and Safe Boating Tips 9 12 Wear It! Awareness Survey 13 Infographic 14 2

3 Introduction to Wear It! A Message from the Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council It s tempting not to wear a life jacket while on the water, especially on nice days. You want to get some sun, you think you ll get too hot, or you think you re a strong swimmer. But whether you re going fishing or just enjoying a ride on the boat, there s never an excuse not to wear a life jacket. You can have a great time, while choosing to always wear a life jacket and boating responsibly. At the National Safe Boating Council, we believe life jacket wear is the simplest strategy to stay safe while enjoying your favorite recreational water activity. According to recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics, drowning was the reported cause of death in three-fourths of all boating fatalities in Of those, 84 percent were reported as not wearing their life jackets. The North American Safe Boating Campaign simply known as Wear It! is a yearlong effort in the U.S. and Canada focused on spreading the message of boating safety and the critical importance of always wearing a life jacket each and every time on the water. In addition, the campaign also reminds boaters of the importance of boating safely, such as taking a boating safety course, never boating under the influence, and knowing navigational rules. The annual campaign kicks off the weekend before Memorial Day with National Safe Boating Week and continues throughout the year. Thank you to all our new and returning partners as we continue in this important mission. The Wear It! campaign message continues to grow on both a national and localized, grassroots level. In fact, a recent survey found that participants aware of the campaign are significantly more likely to wear life jackets always or most of the time versus those unaware of the campaign. We look forward to another great campaign, leveraging the successful messages of the past and adding new tactics to reach an ever-broadening audience of boating participants. Here is a preview of this year s campaign: Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day (May 15, 2015) Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day (May 16, 2015) National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22, 2015) National Fishing and Boating Week (June 6-14, 2015) Operation Dry Water (June 26-28, 2015) Boater survivor stories, contests and social media campaign Public service announcement campaign Please take a moment to review this General Resource Kit and learn what Wear It! has to offer. If you are involved or will be involved with media or community outreach efforts, Additional Media Resources and Additional Campaign Resources kits are also available. If you don t find what you need, please visit safeboatingcampaign.com or ymoslehian@safeboatingcouncil.org. Have a happy, and safe, 2015 boating season! Wear It! Rachel Johnson, CAE Executive Director National Safe Boating Council 3

4 Campaign Partners For a complete list of partners visit safeboatingcampaign.com. National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) The National Safe Boating Council (safeboatingcouncil.org) represents over 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations committed to reducing boating accidents and enhancing the boating experience. Visit safeboatingcouncil.org for safe boating resources and campaign materials. Contact: Rachel Johnson Phone: (703) Fax: (703) rjohnson@safeboatingcouncil.org U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division The mission of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program is to ensure the public has a safe, secure and enjoyable recreational boating experience by implementing programs designed to minimize the loss of life, personal injury and property damage while cooperating with environmental and national security efforts. The U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division (USCGboating.org) Phone: (202) National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (nasbla.org) represents boating authorities from all 50 states and U.S. territories. NASBLA advocates uniform boating laws from state to state; fosters partnerships and cooperation among recreational boating safety organizations; and protects, promotes and enhances safe and enjoyable boating on our nation s waters. Contact: Tom Hayward Phone: (859) tom@nasbla.org Canadian Safe Boating Council The Canadian Safe Boating Council (csbc.ca) is in the business of promoting safe and responsible boating throughout Canada. As an alliance of members committed to preventing boating injuries and drownings, the Canadian Safe Boating Council works to achieve its mission by providing professional development for its members and its other partner organizations in Canada. Phone: (905)

5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22, Kicks Off with Reminder for Boaters to Always Wear It! Wearing a life jacket is the simplest life-saving strategy for safe boating Manassas, VA Boating safety advocates across the U.S. and Canada have teamed up to promote safe and responsible boating, including consistent life jacket wear every time boaters are on the water, during National Safe Boating Week, held from May 16-22, National Safe Boating Week is the launch of the 2015 North American Safe Boating Campaign. This yearlong campaign promotes safe and responsible boating and the value of voluntary, consistent life jacket wear by recreational boaters through the national theme, Wear It! What looks like a perfect day for boating can quickly become hazardous if you end up in the water, said Rachel Johnson, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, the lead organization for Wear It! You can have a great time while choosing to always wear a life jacket and being a responsible boater. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2014, and that 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. Each year hundreds of people lose their lives, and they may still be alive if they had been wearing a life jacket, said John Johnson, chief executive officer of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. You never know when there may be a boating mishap, so it s important that everyone onboard always wears a life jacket. New life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. There are innovative options, such as inflatable life jackets, allowing mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, paddling or hunting, and are much cooler in the warmer weather. Throughout the campaign, Wear It! will remind boaters of the importance of boating safely, including consistent life jacket wear, boating sober, knowing navigational rules and having a proper lookout. Partners will host local events, teach classes, offer on-water training, distribute educational materials, and perform free vessel safety checks. Wear It! unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and Canadian Safe Boating Council with the National Safe Boating Council. It is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. Follow Wear It! on Twitter like on Facebook at facebook.com/safeboatcampaign, and share your boating story at safeboatingcampaign.com. Media Contacts: ### Yvonne Pentz, Paul Werth Associates, ypentz@paulwerth.com, Office: 1 (877) , Mobile: (440) Yalda Moslehian, National Safe Boating Council, ymoslehian@safeboatingcouncil.org, Office: (703)

6 Recreational Boating Safety Facts All figures are from the U.S. Coast Guard s 2014 Recreational Boating Safety Statistics, the latest official record of reported recreational boating accidents. Full report available at: Drowning was reported as the cause of death in three-fourths of all fatalities. Approximately 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. In 2014, the Coast Guard counted 4,064 accidents that involved 610 deaths, 2,678 injuries and approximately $39 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. The fatality rate was 5.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. This rate represents a 10.6% increase from last year s fatality rate of 4.7 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. About 12 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction. Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and alcohol rank as the top 5 primary contributing factors in accidents. Where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 21% of deaths. Twelve children under age thirteen lost their lives while boating in Seven children, or approximately 58% of the children who died in 2014 died from drowning. (Four children or 57% of those who drowned were wearing a life jacket; two were not required to by state law.) The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (47%), personal watercraft (17%) and cabin motorboats (15%). National Recreational Boating Statistics Fatalities: 548 Drownings: 418 Injuries (requiring medical treatment beyond first aid): 2,678 Boating Accidents: 4,064 Property Damage: $38,874,380 Number of registered recreational boats in the U.S.: 11,804,002 6

7 Top-Ranking States for Boating Deaths Source: U.S. Coast Guard 2014 Recreational Boating Safety Statistics RANK STATE TOTAL DEATHS 1 Florida 70 2 Texas 39 3 California 38 4 New York 27 5 North Carolina 26 6 Illinois/Ohio/Washington (tie) 22 7 Pennsylvania 21 8 Michigan 19 9 Louisiana Virginia 17 Top-Ranking States for Reported Boating Accidents Source: U.S. Coast Guard 2014 Recreational Boating Safety Statistics RANK STATE TOTAL ACCIDENTS 1 Florida California New York Texas Missouri Maryland North Carolina/South Carolina (tie) Washington Louisiana New Jersey/Tennessee (tie) 111 7

8 General Resource Kit Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day Prepare to participate in the boating safety awareness event of the year! As a kickoff for this year s National Safe Boating Week (May 16 22, 2015), the National Safe Boating Council and Canadian Safe Boating Council will host the sixth annual Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day on May 16. This one-day event is part of the North American Safe Boating Campaign simply known as Wear It! a yearlong effort which brings together boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary, consistent wear of life jackets. To make this event a success, we need your help! Ready, Set, Wear It! is about raising awareness about the importance of wearing a life jacket. On May 17, 2014 we made history when 6,973 participants at 175 events around the world participated in this fun and educational world record event. Nearly 20,000 people have participated in the world record event since 2010 and, the NSBC, through this one-day event, has been recognized by ASAE the Center for Association Leadership, a leading association, for the Power to Make a Better World. On Saturday, May 16, 2015, we re asking boating safety educators and partner organizations to organize an event in their community. Boaters will gather across the world to inflate their own inflatable life jacket or to wear an inherently buoyant life jacket, helping to heighten awareness of different life jacket types and boating safety issues and go for a world record along the way. It s always a good idea to inspect each of your life jackets to ensure they re in good condition and test your inflatable life jacket each year now you have a chance to do it! In addition to free replacement cylinders for demonstration purposes, we provided you with all of the information and details you need to organize and participate in this event at readysetwearit.com or safeboatingcampaign.com. Join us to make your mark in history. Help us break the world record! (703) Fax (703) safeboatingcampaign.com 8

9 Life Jacket Facts: Style, Variety and Comfort Most boaters know they re required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket on board for every person on their boat. Boating safety advocates recommend that all boaters and passengers not only have a life jacket, but Wear It! at all times while boating. Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket. Drowning is the reported cause of death in three-fourths of all boating fatalities and 84 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket in The good news is that today s life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. Life jackets that use inflatable technologies are cool and comfortable. They may resemble a pair of suspenders or a belt pack. Many inflate automatically when immersed in water. There are life jacket styles available for almost any boating activity. For cruising in an open motorboat: Comfort is key choose a life jacket you ll want to wear. For ages 16 and older, inflatable life jackets are a great option. For fishing: Vest-style life jackets come with features such as pockets and clips to replace the fishing vest and keep the angler safe. For personal watercraft and water sports: Inherently buoyant lighter-weight life jackets are rugged, with multiple buckles and clasps to keep them secure after impact with the water. For hunting and cold weather: Full coats and suits are available in camouflage colors for waterfowl hunting and for those who boat when air and water temperatures are cool. For paddling: Special life jackets are designed with large openings for arms to allow ease of movement. For children: Virtually all styles available are sized especially for children some with cartoon characters, straps for pulling children from the water and high-visibility schemes. For pets: Life jackets are even available for our four-legged friends. It s helpful to purchase one with a handle on top to easily pull your pet out of the water, if needed. No matter what the activity or style chosen, the most important thing is this: Remember to grab a life jacket and Wear It! 9

10 How to Choose the Right Life Jacket Looking for a life jacket? Today s life jackets come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and materials. No matter which life jacket you choose, be sure it s right for YOU, your planned activities and the water conditions you expect to encounter. Try It On Check the manufacturer s ratings for your size and weight. Make sure the life jacket is properly zipped or buckled. Raise your arms straight up over your head while wearing your life jacket and ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings, gently pulling up. If there is excess room above the openings and the life jacket rides up over your chin or face, it does NOT fit properly. A snug fit in these areas signals a properly fitting life jacket. Fit Facts It is extremely important that you choose a properly fitting life jacket. Life jackets that are too big will cause the flotation device to push up around your face, which could be dangerous. Life jackets that are too small may not be able to keep your body afloat. Important Reminders Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved. Double check that your life jacket is appropriate for your favorite water activities. Read the label! Take the time to ensure a proper fit. A life jacket that is too large or too small can cause different situational problems. Check your life jacket is in good serviceable condition, with no tears or holes. Test to make sure it works properly. Life jackets meant for adult sized people do not work for children. If you are boating with children, make sure they are wearing properly fitted, child-sized life jackets based on their weight. Do not buy a life jacket for your child to grow into. On recreational boats underway, children under 13 years old must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. Some state laws vary - check with your local Marine Law Enforcement Authorities. 10

11 General Boating Safety Tips 1. No matter what activity you have planned boating, fishing, paddling and more always remember to wear a life jacket every time you are on the water. Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket. 2. Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved, appropriate for your water activity, and that it fits properly. A life jacket that is too large or too small can cause different situational problems. All persons should always wear a life jacket. 3. Know your state s boating laws before you get out on the water. Rules and laws can differ from state to state and violations can result in ticketing, fines or jail time. 4. Take a boating safety course. Learn valuable tips that can help save your life in unexpected situations by taking a NASBLA (National Association of Boating Law Administrators) approved boating safety course. 5. Make sure your boat is as prepared as you are. There are many items that need to be checked and re-checked on any boat. Schedule a Vessel Safety Check with your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons before you hit the water. 6. Boat capacity. Be sure to know your boat s capacity. If you have more on your boat than it was designed to handle, the boat may become unstable and capsize. 7. Check the weather. Know the latest marine weather forecast prior to going out, and keep a regular check for changing conditions. 8. Dress properly. Always dress for the weather, wearing layers if cooler weather, and bring an extra set of clothes in case you get wet. 9. Always file a float plan. File a float plan with someone you trust that includes details about the trip, boat, persons, towing or trailer vehicle, communication equipment, and emergency contacts. Find out more at floatplancentral.org. 10. Always follow navigation rules. Know the Rules of the Road such as operator's responsibility, maintaining a proper lookout, safe speed, crossing, meeting head-on and overtaking situations. Find out more at boatoncourse.com. 11. Don t drink while you boat. Where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 21% of deaths in Find out more at operationdrywater.org. 12. Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasoline-powered engines on boats, including onboard generators, produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas that can poison or kill someone who breathes too much of it. Be sure to install and maintain a working CO detector, never block exhaust outlets, and always dock, beach or anchor at least 20 feet away from the nearest boat that is running a generator or engine. 13. Keep in touch. Communication devices can be the most important piece of emergency equipment on board a vessel, especially in case of emergency. Cell phones, satellite phones, emergency position indicating radio beacons, VHF radios and personal locator beacons can all contribute in an emergency situation. 11

12 Cold Water Boating Cold-water immersion is the cause of many boating-related fatalities. The danger increases as water temperature decreases below normal body temperature (98.6 degrees F). Dos and Don ts of Cold Water Boating Do make sure everyone is wearing a life jacket. Even experienced swimmers will experience shock within one minute in the frigid water and lose muscle control within 10 minutes. Do file a float plan with someone you trust that includes details about the trip, boat, persons, towing or trailer vehicle, communication equipment, and emergency contacts. Download a free float plan template at floatplancentral.org. Do dress properly for the weather, always wearing layers, and bring an extra set of clothes in case you get wet. Remember, dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Do catch your breath. A sudden unexpected fall into cold water causes an involuntary gasp (or torso) reflex. It takes less than ½ cup of water in your lungs to drown. If you remain calm, you have a greater chance of selfrescue. Don t panic if you fall into the water. Stay afloat with the help of your life jacket, regain control of your breathing, and keep your head above water in vision of rescuers. Don t keep on heavy boots if you re in the water. Look for ways to increase your buoyancy. If you re in the water with others, huddle together with everyone facing inwards to help everyone stay afloat and keep warm. Don t apply heat to extremities like arms and legs of a rescued victim. This sudden change in temperature could cause cardiac arrest. Stages of Cold-Water Immersion Cold shock. You have one minute to adjust to the cold shock response don't panic. Swimming failure. You have 10-minutes of meaningful movement to get help and get out of the water. Hypothermia. You have about one hour before you become unconscious from hypothermia. Post-rescue collapse. You give up and collapse after or right at the time of rescue. For more information on boating in cold water, visit coldwaterbootcampusa.org. 12

13 Wear It! Awareness Survey A 2014 survey of recreational boaters found the North American Safe Boating Campaign continues to have a positive impact on boater behavior. The yearlong campaign promotes safe and responsible boating and the value of voluntary life jacket wear by recreational boaters through the national theme, Wear It! The annual Wear It! Awareness Survey conducted by Paul Werth Associates on behalf of the National Safe Boating Council, sought to determine the campaign's effectiveness, specifically the impact on life jacket wear, attitudes and safety behavior of boaters. "It is crucial to get an accurate view of how boaters are behaving when preparing or getting on the water and how they feel about wearing life jackets," said Rachel Johnson, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. Leveraging a team of trained volunteers, 605 on-site surveys were collected at 19 different bodies of water in seven states. Based on the locations' level of Wear It! campaign activity, the bodies of water were classified as no, medium or high activity. "The survey reinforces the importance of the Wear It! campaign's educational efforts on new, comfortable styles of life jackets, including inflatable life jackets," said Johnson. Key survey findings: Participants aware of the campaign are significantly more likely to wear life jackets always or most of the time versus those unaware of the campaign. Boaters at high campaign activity locations are also significantly more likely to agree that "it is important for me as a boater to encourage others to wear life jackets at all times when boating or fishing." Boaters at high campaign activity locations are significantly more likely than other boaters to wear their life jackets "always or most of the time" versus boaters at no campaign activity locations. "This survey helps demonstrate the impact of the Wear It! message, especially in no campaign activity locations, to prevent future fatalities by increasing the number of people wearing life jackets," concluded Johnson. To read the Wear It! Awareness Survey full report, visit 13

14 Infographics To download hi-res files, please visit safeboatingcampaign.com. 14