Lilly, O'Toole & Brown Blog

Boater Death Highlights Importance of Flotation Devices

In Lake County, Florida a 59 year old boater, missing for several days, has been found. The medical examiner has not found a cause of death yet, but if he was not wearing a life vest or other personal flotation device then drowning is a real possibility.

Any time you see the shows with police, Coast Guard or Navy personnel on a small craft they are always wearing a personal flotation device. Even police that are wearing a gun belt and vest, some weighing 15 pounds or more, are wearing the personal flotation device. Other than being required to wear it, the officer wears it because even being weighed down with all that equipment, if he is knocked overboard or knocked unconscious, that flotation device is designed to keep his head above water and allow him to continue breathing.

Don’t take unnecessary risks, make sure you wear your life jacket when you are on the water.