Water Safety -Is About Saving Lives- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is very concerned about the safety of lake visitors and encourage everyone to be safety conscious and learn the basic rules of water safety.

Know the Facts-Don’t Become Another Statistic

• Nationwide, more than 800 people lose their lives in boating accidents each year.
• Nearly 9 out of 10 of these victims were not wearing a life jacket.
• More than 4,500 people are injured each year in boating accidents.
• Approximately $29 million in property damages are attributed on an annual basis to boating accidents.

• Alcohol is involved in over 50% of these accidents.
• Nearly all drownings occur within 10 feet of safety.
• Non-swimmers often drown because of poor judgment, for example wading in non-designated area or relying on an inflatable device that is not Coast Guard approved.

Boating Safety Tips

• Check and heed weather forecasts
• Keep clear of swimmers and designated swimming areas
• Alcohol is involved in over 50% of all boating fatalities- Please don’t drink and drive a boat
• Take a safe boating course
• The best protection against drowning is to wear a life jacket
• Whether inside or outside your boat, an acumulation of carbon monoxide may harm you.

Swimming Safety Tips

• Never swim alone
• Do not dive into a lake—whether from a boat, bridge or shore
• Keep a watchful eye on children at all times
• Learn basic non-swimming rescue techniques
• Swim in designated areas

A variety of water safety materials are available to teachers and youth leaders on the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers National Water Safety website.

If it has anything to do with water safety, you'll find it on this new site. It contains materials to teach water safety in the home or classroom, plus helpful links to other water safety sites.

Safe Passage Teacher’s Kit

Safe Passage is an award-winning educational film produced by the Corps of Engineers to teach water safety. The kit includes a curriculum of classroom activities and resource materials targeted for youth safety programs. Check out the new Safe Passage site by clicking here! You'll find puzzles and games from the Safe Passage water safety video! The five main topics developed are: swimming safety, boating safety, fishing safety, rescue do’s and don’ts, and safety around locks and dams. The 38-minute teacher’s version of the video tape has stops and module recaps in the tape to allow children to perform activities, to have discussion time, or to allow teachers to use the tape on multiple days as part of a week-long teaching unit.

One free copy of the video is available to teachers and group leaders by e-mailing the Kansas City District, Operations Division or by calling 816-389-3971. The teachers curriculum guide may be downloaded free on the Safe Passage website. Quantities of the video tape and CD-ROM teacher’s guide may be ordered by calling the National Operation Center at 509-527-7135 or by emailing Lynda.G.Nutt@usace.army.mil.

Quantity orders=$4.00 per tape and CD-ROM teacher's guide, shipping included. Tape only = $2.50, shipping included.

  visitors since 4 December 2000