Published: May 24, 2007 10:57 am      

When it comes to safety on the lake, nobody’s waterproof

With the Memorial Day holiday approaching and the long summer following boaters will be cruising our Texas lakes, now filled with water again, in record numbers. In the midst of all this water fun is the imminent possibility of water accidents.

Texas had 47 boating fatalities in 2006, surpassing 40 for the fist time since 2002, when the state led the nation with 61. Most of those tragedies were preventable, since on average 85 percent of boating drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket when recovered.

Of those who die in water accidents, the most at risk group are 18-to-34 year-old male boaters. Not children. Why? This is the male macho group who are bullet proof. They often don’t wear “sissy” life preservers and, many times, are drinking.

With those sobering facts in mind, and the spring/summer boating season gearing up, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its partners are launching a fresh public education and water safety initiative. This creative, fun, interactive social marketing campaign is called “Nobody’s Waterproof.” The campaign was developed in 2006 by Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and EnviroMedia Social Marketing, Inc. and has won state, regional and national awards. This year, through an agreement with LCRA, TPWD is working to expand the initiative outside the Colorado River watershed to other Texas metropolitan areas.

“Texas Parks and Wildlife sees this as a chance to really take the message to the people on the water, with fun activities and educational items that will continue to remind boaters and swimmers that nobody’s waterproof — play it safe,” said Brandi Bradford, TPWD boater education coordinator.

“LCRA is excited to be working with Texas Parks and Wildlife to take the Nobody’s Waterproof campaign statewide in 2007,” said Jennifer Schariach, LCRA boating and water safety coordinator. “Last year, we found that the campaign really works in getting people’s attention. The campaign’s fun games, one-on-one conversations and nonjudgmental approach appeal to men ages 18 to 34, who are at the greatest risk of drowning. People who experienced the campaign last year told us that Nobody’s Waterproof really did raise their awareness of water safety and change their behaviors.”

This campaign also involves a Nobody’s Waterproof party boat donated to TPW. A fun-loving, engaging outreach team on the boat will be handing out safety items and information at some of the most frequented lakes around the state.

Nobody’s Waterproof outreach events will emphasize these safety messages:

• Always wear a life jacket in the water and on a boat.

• Be responsible if you drink and designate a sober boat operator.

• Always swim with a friend and ask friends and family to watch each other.

• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated — especially if you are also drinking alcohol.

• Follow boating and water safety rules and obey signs, markers and buoys.

• Have a VHF-FM marine radio or cell phone, GPS or map, proper safety equipment, and appropriate clothing on board or with you on the water.

• Know where you are on the water or shoreline.

• Take a boater education course, either online or in person.

In keeping with the Nobody’s Waterproof theme targeting the younger, fun crowd, country rocker Kevin Fowler has come on board as a celebrity spokesperson for the expanding statewide initiative. An avid hunter, angler and outdoorsman born in Amarillo, Fowler was “fed a steady diet of Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and all the outlaws of country music.” Known for songs about rowdy good times, Fowler is encouraging his fans via radio Public Service Announcements and other venues to come home safe from a day on the water.

“Like lots of 100 percent Texans, I love having a good time on the water,” Fowler says in the radio PSA. “But remember, Nobody’s Waterproof. Play it safe, wear a life jacket and designate a driver for the boat and for a safe ride home. Follow these tips and there’ll be a lot more days for you to play in this great state of Texas.”

In addition to the campaign, TPWD game wardens are preparing to enforce boating laws and provide proactive safety guidance, working with lake rangers, sheriff’s deputies, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, regional water safety coalitions, and many other local boating enforcement agencies and public inters groups.

We plan to spend Memorial Day holiday on Lake Travis with our daughter’s family. That lake on a holiday is a combination of water interstate highway, NASCAR raceway and zoo. I hope all this safety effort helps.

Jim Darnell is an ordained minister and host/producer of the syndicated outdoors show, God’s Great Outdoors. His column appears every Thursday in the Daily Record.