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Water Safety

As the nation’s largest provider of outdoor recreation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is dedicated to making sure our parks are safe places to enjoy America’s great outdoors. Our park rangers are water safety experts and are here to help keep you safe. They can help with everything from making sure your life jacket fits and sharing local boating regulations to water safety presentations for schools. If you have any questions about how to stay safe on the water, just ask us.

Did You Know?

  • Of the more than 150 Americans who drown every year at Corps parks on average, about 92 percent weren’t wearing a life jacket.
  • 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. It takes less than one-half cup of water in your lungs to drown. 
  • More than half of all drowning deaths at Corps parks are swimming related. Learning to swim well and never swimming alone or under the influence of alcohol are easy steps you can take to enjoy our lakes safely. 
  • Free loaner life jackets are available at many Corps parks on a first-come, first-served basis.  

 

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