National Boating Safety Week at IDOfishing.com

NEWS RELEASE
May 21, 2010
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District
MVP-PA-2010-058
Media Contacts:
Shannon Bauer: 651-290-5108, 612-840-9453, shannon.l.bauer@usace.army.mil
Mark Davidson: 651-290-5201, 651-261-6769, mark.d.davidson@usace.army.mil
ATTACHED is a list of Corps of Engineers lakes/campsites.

Corps of Engineers offers water safety tips for National Safe Boating Week

ST. PAUL, MINN. - With warmer weather having arrived, more people will be
recreating near or in the water. Now is the time to start thinking about
water safety. Each year, approximately 6,000 people drown in the U.S. In
fact, drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children. Yet, it
is possible - just by wearing a life jacket or taking other precaution - to
reduce these deaths.

The major cause of boating-related fatalities, in fact 70 percent according
to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, involves boat operators who had not received
any boating safety instruction. In 2008, of the 709 recreational boating
fatalities, more than 89 percent of those victims were not wearing life
jackets.

National Safe Boating Week this year is May 22-28. Water safety officials
urge everyone to learn more about safe boating practices and always engage in
proper and responsible conduct while on the water. America's rivers, lakes
and oceans are wonderful places for boaters to gather with family and friends
while enjoying the outdoors, but factors such as careless and reckless
operation, inattention and excessive speed contribute to accidents.

Here are some safety tips from the Corps of Engineers to help recreation
seekers stay safe in the water at federal recreation areas over the Memorial
Day holiday weekend and through the summer months.

Watch your children

It only takes a child an average of 20 seconds to drown, according to water
safety officials. Watch your children at all times when around the water.
Don't let them wander very far from the adults and never let them go into the
water unless you know it.

Alcohol and water activities don't mix

Approximately one-third of all boating accidents and fatalities involve
alcohol. Just one beer can impair balance, vision, judgment and reaction
time. Research shows that four hours of boating - exposure to noise,
vibration, sun, glare and wind - produces fatigue that simulates drunkenness.
Boating fatigue combined with alcohol consumption intensifies the effects of
both and increases accident risks.

Boaters should know the rules

Boaters should take appropriate safety classes, be familiar with governing
state laws and have proper safety equipment onboard. Many states require
boater education or boat operator licenses. As an added incentive, most
insurance companies offer discounts to boaters who successfully completed a
boating safety course.

While boating, make sure you wear a life jacket. Don't just carry one on
board. Make sure it is U.S. Coast Guard- approved and appropriately sized.
Most states require children under the age of 13 to wear life jackets.
Further, it is mandatory for require children under the age of 13 to wear a
life jacket on federal waters, which includes any Corps of Engineers lake and
the Mississippi River.

Don't overload the boat (consider boat size, number of passengers and extra
equipment before loading). Check your boat for all required safety equipment.
Carry a set of navigational charts. Check the weather forecast. File a boat
plan with family or friends who are not on the vessel in case something does
happen and so someone will know your approximate whereabouts.

Learn to swim

Surprisingly, two-thirds of those who drown never had the intention of being
in the water. Never dive head first into lakes and rivers - the results can
be tragic. Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay
afloat.

Don't take chances by over-estimating your swimming skills. Reach or throw a
floatation device to help someone in trouble. Don't go in the water! Swim
only in designated swimming areas. Use the buddy system and never swim alone.
Half of all drowning victims are alone when they drown. Take swimming lessons
and learn to swim!

Water safety needs to be a top priority for everyone using the nation's
waterways and lakes. An estimated 360 million people visit U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers recreation areas nationwide annually. Make your visit to any
recreation area a safe and enjoyable one. Taking water safety precautions
saves lives - maybe even your own.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, serves the American
public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage
reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster
response. It contributes around $175 million to the five-state district
economy. The more than 638 employees work at more than 40 sites in five
upper-Midwest states. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.

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Web site: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Paul-MN/US-Army-Corps-of-Engineers-St-Pau
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YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/usacemvppao

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