Bobber takes water safety message to Friday Louisville Bats’ game

Published June 19, 2012
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will sponsor water safety night at the Louisville Bats baseball game on Friday, June 15 at Slugger Field. The game against the Rochester Red Wings begins at 7:05 p.m. Tickets cost between $7 and $11.

Water safety mascot Bobber the Water Safety Dog will promote the importance of wearing a life jacket while on the water. “Children especially enjoy the educational and entertaining water safety lessons from the giant, plush, fuzzy dog,” said Carol Labashosky, Army Corps of Engineers. “Water safety must be a top priority for everyone using the nation’s waterways and lakes this summer,” she said adding that the baseball game is a great way to reach children and adults with the water safety message.

Army Corps of Engineers park rangers will have a sample display of life jackets currently available on the market. Stop by the booth to join in or see an inflatable life jacket demonstration.  Giveaway items will be available.  Activities taking place and displays occur before and during the game at the park’s entrance and the promenade.  More than 17 million visitors frequent Corps lakes within Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio Corps lakes with swimming and boating topping the list of activities.
Water safety lessons:
 
Wear a life jacket – don’t just carry one on board.  Make sure it is Coast Guard approved and appropriately sized.  It only takes 10 seconds to put on a life jacket and that 10 seconds could save your life if you are involved in a boating accident.
 
Boaters - Boaters should take safety classes, be familiar with governing state laws, wear a life jacket, and have proper safety equipment onboard before boating. Seventy percent of reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction, according to Coast Guard statistics. Check the weather forecast.  File a float plan with family or friends who are not on the vessel. 
 
Swimming - Know Your Limits. At Army Corps of Engineers sites, swimming in non-designated areas is the highest (47 percent) cause for all water-related fatalities nationwide.  Of all swimming-related fatalities, 87 percent of those were in non-designated swimming areas.  Don't take chances by over-estimating your swimming skills, and swim only in designated areas.  Never dive into lakes and rivers.  Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay afloat. Never swim alone.
 
http://watersafety.usace.army.mil/safetytips.htm