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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the National Safe Boating Council, is seeking testimonials from people whose lives were saved in boating accidents because they were wearing a life jacket. "We generally only hear about the fatalities, the accidents where the victims weren't wearing their life jackets," said Tim Smalley, DNR boating safety specialist. "We're interested in hearing about the watercraft accidents with happy endings, too. Much can be learned about how well flotation devices perform by studying not only test tank dunkings, but also real life situations where people were actually involved."
The National Safe Boating Council may use some of the testimonials in its 1999 "Saved by the Jacket" media safety campaign, which will aim to get boaters to wear life jackets because life jackets work. "The best way to convince people to wear a life jacket is by quoting the words of people who wouldn't be around today if they hadn't worn one," said Virgil Chambers, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council. "A personal flotation device is the most effective way to save boaters' lives."
People are asked to include as many details as possible in their testimonials, such as the conditions under which the accident occurred, where the accident took place, and if possible, the type of personal flotation device used. Send information to:
DNR Boat and Water Safety
500 Lafayette Rd.
St. Paul, MN 55155-4046.
Computer users can e-mail their factual accounts to tim.smalley@dnr.state.mn.us. The DNR will forward all the life jacket stories to the National Safe Boating Council.
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