Wear Your Life Jackets

With triple digit heat expected to arrive in our Tri-Cities, it's an awesome excuse to cool off on the water, especially on our rivers.

Be safe.  Please remember to wear your life jackets.  They save lives.

I had a very scary encounter with the Yakima River just a few years ago.  I am an experienced swimmer, and was NOT prepared.  The under-current was extremely strong, and I felt out of control.  I was.  The helpless feeling I experienced was debilitating.  Unbelievable.  I will ALWAYS wear a life jacket.

On the  Richland Police Department Facebook page:

"Who should wear a life jacket?
*Anyone participating in any boating, paddling or towed water sport regardless of swimming ability.

*Inexperienced or non-swimmers in pool or open water situations when other layers of protection are limited.

*Preschool children—those about 5 years and younger—who are not protected by touch supervision either in or near the water. Touch supervision means being within an arm’s reach of the child(ren) at all times."

Washington state law requires children 12 and under to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket or vest on vessels that are less than 19 feet long.

All vessels are required to carry at least one properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board a vessel.  This includes canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards.

You can learn more about life jackets and vests here.