1. US Army Corps of Engineers Life Jacket Policy Test Lynda Nutt National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Annual Conference September 2010
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3. BOTTOM LINE: Since 1998, nearly 2,000 visitors have died on Corps-managed waters while engaged in water-based recreation: Greater than 90% of the victims were NOT wearing a life jacket.
4. “… explore the feasibility of establishing a life jacket wear policy on all US Army Corps of Engineers waters.” MG Don T. Riley Command Decision to Test
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6. Vicksburg District Four Lakes in Mississippi Arkabutla, Sardis, Grenada and Enid Lakes
Stark reality of burden of recreation management. In the past 12 years, the Corps dealt with more than 1900 water-related fatalities. Unfortunately, the majority (91%) of the victims were found not wearing a life jacket. The majority (47%) of our water-related fatalities happen when people exceed their swimming abilities usually outside of our designated swimming areas. Falls overboard are another major cause at 19% and collisions as shown here are less than 8%.
HQs didn’t require it, but Vicksburg opted to include a swimming in non-designated waters regulation, because 39% of their public fatalities fell into this category, which is more than their fatality rate of boating related incidents (36%). Swimming is actually a factor in over 60% of their fatalities.
Important throughout the process is the information that the Corps hopes to gain from our observations and covert measurements.
