| In a world where so much seems random and out of | | | | determined 80% of the boating fatalities occurred on |
| our control, most boating-related injuries and deaths | | | | boats operated by people who have never |
| are actually within our control. Prevention is the key | | | | completed a boating safety course. Armed with |
| to reducing the number of water-related injuries and | | | | those statistics, the National Transportation Safety |
| deaths, and education is essential to prevention. | | | | Board has declared water-safety education a priority. |
| Water-safety is an area where the old adage is true, | | | | Today, most U.S. states and Canada require a |
| "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." | | | | water-safety course for all boat operators. While a |
| The U.S. Coast Guard finds 70% of all boating | | | | safety course is imperative for a boat's primary |
| accidents involve factors under the control of the | | | | operator, it is also important for all passengers on |
| boat operator. In other words, the overwhelming | | | | board a boat to understand basic safe-boating |
| majority of water-related accidents result from poor | | | | procedures. Watercraft Safety Courses available for |
| choices. For example, the choice to use alcohol while | | | | iPhone and Blackberry are a tremendous |
| engaging in water-related recreation can be deadly. | | | | advancement in putting water-safety education within |
| Alcohol is involved in nearly half the water-related | | | | our grasp. |
| deaths among teens and adults. | | | | Some states also require operators of jet-propelled |
| According to the Coast Guard, approximately 70% | | | | personal watercraft (Jet Ski) to complete water |
| of all boating fatalities are victims of drowning; the | | | | safety education. The Coast Guard reports nearly |
| other 30% of water-related deaths result from | | | | 25% of annual water-related fatalities involve Jet Skis |
| trauma, hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, or | | | | or similar personal watercraft. With increased |
| other causes. Most of these deaths are almost | | | | implementation of requirements for licensure or |
| completely avoidable. Drowning rarely occurs when | | | | certification, the need to provide boating safety |
| boaters are wearing an appropriate personal flotation | | | | resources to a wider audience is imperative. |
| device (PFD); yet, astoundingly 90% of drowning | | | | Watercraft Safety apps for smartphones effectively |
| victims are not wearing a life jacket or any personal | | | | and inexpensively provide essential, life-saving |
| flotation device at all. | | | | information to those who want to safely, responsibly |
| Education is the key to reducing both the number | | | | enjoy water-related recreation. |
| and severity of boating accidents. The Coast Guard | | | | |