In the blue box near the public boat launch ramps at East Mooring Basin are a number of child- and teenager-sized life jackets. Theses loaners are protected by a plexiglas lid, but during daylight hours, there's no padlock on the hasp. Loaner life jackets are intended to save lives. Studies show that while adults in charge routinely buckle toddlers and younger kids into life preservers, older kids and teens are not as likely to be wearing life jackets at the time of a boat accident.I don't know a lot about this program, except that it was started by a doctor in Homer, Alaska. This installation in Astoria is the first place I've seen the loaner life jackets, and when the box caught my eye last year, I thought it was one of the coolest public safety programs I'd ever seen.
15 comments:
I love it! I've heard of this program, I think there was one on the Columbia River near Portland for a while. People kept stealing the life vests!
The sign, though, is perfect. Kids Don't Float. Very effective!
Yes, you're right, that's a very good programme. If only adults were more responsible, we wouldn't need these.
Sorry to have interrupted work yesterday! ;-)
I could copy an paste ciel's comment. Here they would steal the jackets for the sake of it...
I think the life jackets are great too except you wouldnt last more than 10 minutes in this cold water before hypothermia and ......
No, people last a lot longer than ten minutes in the lower Columbia....too many survivor stories to believe otherwise.
Teenagers, that's got to be a hard one.
What a superb idea! Hopefully, even teens will use them. But, teens, of course, will never get hurt or die. Just ask one! :-)
Allow me to be contrary, please. I think children, no, babies! ought to be taught to swim. I've never worn a life jacket in my life (and I'm past the half century mark) and I spend significant amounts of time in and on water. But then, they don't call me the Rule Breaker for nothing. ;-)
I agree with Jacob, this is super! Glad I didn't miss it!
What's WITH this system!? Why did an ancient comment of mine get posted?? What I wanted to post now is this: I did not intend for my comment to be anonymous... I picked name/URL and that's how it popped up. Sorry.
@ Francisca, I have no idea. I'm trying to remember if Ciel mentioned this happening once or if it was you. Maybe it's the weird China connection? Anyway, if it's happening to others, I'm not hearing about it except the one time.
I was going to reply to this comment anyway. I think EVERYONE should be taught/learn to swim, and I see very little excuse not to learn. However, in a boating accident, rough, cold water, strong currents, storms, whatever, I think life jackets are a good idea. People drown in this river every year, and it's not usually because they can't swim, or at least I think that's the case. I know that some have been good swimmers. It's a dangerous river.
It is a very good idea and is implemented up here. Most of the parks on water have them. MB
I fish on the water and always wear a life vest, it's a comfortable one that I paid a few more bucks that usual for. My thinking is, yes I can swim, but what if I hit my head when I go over the side, or any other number of scenerios. I think anyone who is on the water needs a life vest on, but to each his own. I wouldn't want to require anyone to have to wear them, except people under 18 or so. Darwins law of survival of the fittest takes care of those who go over the side without one on!
We're on the same page, Midnight Mike and Sheryl. My earlier post was an irreverent poke at our lives being ruled by laws rather than common sense. If this river is as dangerous as you say, I'd stay out of it. To each his own, indeed. :-)
First time I saw this program was out at Cullaby Lake. Met some friends out there for a picnic and grandson wanted to get into the water w/their kids. Alas, no lifejacket, hadn't even thought of him swimming. Lo and behold this nifty program of loaner lifejackets saved the day! Unless they restock regularly, every time we have been to the lake there appears to be numerous lifejackets so I don't think there is too much stealing going on. Loved your title, made me come over from NorthCoastOregon to take a peek at your blog. Beautiful!
Post a Comment