Life jackets save lives, but only if you wear them.

A kayaker escaped injury in April after his kayak capsized near Cuba Island on Beaver Dam Lake in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Fire crews responded quickly and brought the person to shore. In cold water, rescuers’ quick response — and the fact that he was wearing a life jacket — helped prevent tragedy. 

Life jackets save lives. Don’t take the risk by failing to put one on. 

According to U.S. Coast Guard boating statistics, 76% of fatal boating incident victims drowned, and 87% of those whose life jacket use was known were not wearing one. Many were skilled boaters who could swim. You wouldn’t try to put on a seat belt during a car crash, and you can’t put on a life jacket in the middle of a boating emergency.

Wearing a life jacket on the water is critical, so before you head out, make sure everyone has one that fits properly. Find a Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station near you if you need to borrow one. It may protect your life. 

Gail R. Kulp is executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide access to education, tools and resources to eliminate preventable recreational boating accidents and deaths.

Guest opinion: Going boating? Wear a life jacket. It could save your life. is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.