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  • Of the more than 150 Americans who drown every year at Corps of Engineers parks on average 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket, 88 percent were men, and 27 percent were from falls overboard.
  • It takes only 60 seconds on average for an adult to drown.
  • It takes only 20 seconds on average for a child to drown.
  • A common cause of drowning is the involuntary gasp reflex that occurs after falling into cold water.
  • More than half of all drowning deaths at Corps of Engineers parks are swimming related. Wear a life jacket, learn to swim well and never swimming alone or under the influence of alcohol are easy steps you can take to help to ensure you return home safely.
  • Loaner life jackets are available at many Corps of Engineers parks on a first-come first-serve basis.

Tools

Volunteers

You can make a difference and help save lives.  If you are interested in becoming a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers volunteer that helps promote water safety, contact us at 1-800-865-8337, volunteer.gov@usace.army.mil or apply online at www.volunteer.gov.

Partner Resources 
The Corps of Engineers partners with many agencies and organizations to promote water safety. Learn more about what resources they have to offer. 

 

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National Water Safety Program

Welcome!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of the nation’s leading provider of outdoor recreation with over 400 lake and river projects in 43 states and more than 250 million visits per year. Please be careful in and around the water because even strong swimmers drown. Check out this website to find valuable tips and resources that could save your life or the life of someone you care about. 

Inflatable Life Jackets: Everything You Need To Know (9 min)
Everyone who owns or would like to own an inflatable life jacket needs to watch this 9-minute video to learn all about care and maintenance of them. Proper care and maintenance will help ensure that your inflatable life jacket works when you need it.
Man Overboard Video PSA
While you are boating a tragic fall overboard can happen unexpectedly and you could drown leaving your kids or grand kids alone to take care of themselves. Don’t let their last memory of you be a tragic one. Please share this emotionally powerful video. Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns. Learn more at http://www.PleaseWearIt.com
Retrieval Done Right, Knot Wrong 60 sec PSA
Many people drown every year retrieving objects, like boats that have drifted away. Please keep your life jacket with you after you have launched your boat in case your boat drifts away and you need to retrieve it. Also, knowing how to tie a proper knot can help too.
Life Jacket Debate Video PSA
Real quotes from focus groups conducted with adult men who don’t wear life jackets or only wear them when they think they are needed. This is an interesting debate that could save your life or the life of someone you care about, so please share it. Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns Learn more at http://www.PleaseWearIt.com
LJ Song 60 sec PSA
In this video LJ and friends take you on a boating adventure. This video shows why it’s important to wear a life jacket. Life jackets come in many different sizes, styles, and colors, so choose the right one for you and your activity. Different types of life jackets are shown in this video. See how many you can identify. Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns. Learn more at PleaseWearIt.com.

Water Safety - Fun for Kids!

BobberClick on Bobber to visit the official web site. www.Bobber.info You’ll find cartoons and other water safety fun! An excellent program for young children! Want to give us feed-back? Send us an email at: Bobbermail

Water Safety Project Spotlight

  • Water Safety Partnerships Lead to Smooth Sailing at the Bay Model, San Francisco District
    Water safety, boating, and amazing water recreation adventures might not immediately spring to mind when you think of a brick-and-mortar Visitor Center like the Bay Model. This unique hydraulic Model built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s to test the impact of proposed projects on the San Francisco Bay-Delta sits inside a 3-acre building on the edge of Richardson Bay, drawing visitors and engineers from around the world.  
  • Down in the Valley: Willamette Valley Project, Portland District
    Like many USACE Projects across the country, Willamette Valley in Cottage Grove, Oregon had a bustling recreation season. When the sun shines in the Pacific Northwest, people are soaking it up, and that usually means bumper to bumper traffic with cars outfitted with kayak racks, stand up paddleboards, boat trailers and other water-related gear headed for one of the 13 lakes that make up the Willamette Valley Project.
  • Navigating Safety: USACE Pittsburgh District’s River Ranger Program
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania known as the Steel City, has transformed from its industrial roots to a vibrant hub centered around its three rivers—especially at “The Point,” where the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers converge. This area attracts diverse crowds for recreational activities like boating, fishing, and scenic cruises, near popular venues like NFL and MLB stadiums and various multi-use land and water trails. These waterways offer countless opportunities, contributing to the local economy and quality of life.