Life jacket upgrade program aims to sink drowning deaths

Boaters are being encouraged to stay on top of water safety by keeping their equipment up to date through a life jacket trade-in program at Geographe Bay Yacht Club. Royal Life Saving WA’s Old4New life jacket upgrade project gives those in the South West a chance to upgrade their life jackets to a new self inflating model. Royal Life Saving WA health promotion coordinator Jen Mickle said safety in the water should be prioritised. “Whether you are out cruising or casting a line for a day of fishing, safety on the water should always be your top priority,” she said. “It’s crucial for both experienced boaters and those new to navigating the water to wear a life jacket. “A life jacket can save your life in an unexpected situation. But it can only save you if you are wearing it. “Technological advances mean that there are now better designed life jackets than there were in the past which are lighter and more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time than conventional foam life jackets, so there is no excuse not to wear one.” According to the RLSWA wearing a life jacket doubles the chances of survival once you are in the water and 23 per cent of drowning victims in the South West were not wearing a life jacket. Ms Mickle said the more life jackets that were worn on boats, the smaller the chance of deaths will be. “It is hoped that by offering greater access to affordable modern life jackets, boaters within the South West region will be more likely to wear them while on the water and prevent drowning tragedies from occurring,” she said. “Both manual and automatic life jackets are available so there is an option to suit everyone. “We encourage all local boaters and fishers to take advantage of this great program and upgrade their life jacket today so that they can enjoy a safe day out on the water.” Appointments must be made for the program, information can be found at www.royallifesavingwa.com.au/programs/old4new