HomeMy WebLinkAbout07112016_Projectwaterway
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
News Release
Date: July 10, 2016 Contact: Doug Williams – 206-477-4543
‘Project Waterway: Fashion to Splash In’
offers look at new lifejacket styles, July 15
SUMMARY
School is out, and summer vacations are in full swing – including trips to the beach,
Puget Sound, or other open-water destinations. See the latest styles in comfortable
and functional lifejackets at either of two lifejacket fashion shows, July 15 in Renton
and Carnation.
STORY
Lifejackets are no longer those uncomfortable, bright orange things of yesteryear.
Designed with comfort in mind, modern personal flotation devices are engineered
for safety and can often mean the difference between life and death.
See the hottest new styles at “Project Waterway: Fashion to Splash In” – a
lifejacket fashion show, at two locations on Friday, July 15.
At 1 p.m., lifeguards from the Weyerhaeuser-King County Aquatic Center will model
and demonstrate lifejackets provided by REI, Northwest Outdoor Center, and Public
Health – Seattle & King County, with a special appearance by the King County
Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, near the lifeguard stations at Gene Coulon Memorial
Beach Park at 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton.
Project Waterway makes a second appearance that same day at 3 p.m., during the
Timber! Outdoor Music Festival at King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park, 31020 NE
40th St., Carnation.
In a 2015 survey conducted by the King County Flood Control District, nearly half of
those who fish, boat, raft, tube or swim at least once a year reported they always
or almost always wear a life jacket, while nearly 40 percent said they never do.
Public Health – Seattle & King County reports that that of the 12 preventable
drowning incidents on open water in 2015, nine could have been prevented with
lifejacket use.
Drowning is a preventable tragedy and an important public health and public safety
issue. Warm weather draws people to lakes, rivers and salt water areas, creating
high risk situations for themselves, others and rescuers. Swimmers and other water
recreationists should follow these recommendations to prevent drownings:
Know the risks associated with the waterbody you want to visit.
Learn to swim, including water safety and survival skills.
Wear a lifejacket. By law, children 12 years old and younger must wear a
U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket at all times in a moving vessel under
19 feet in length, unless in a fully enclosed area. Borrow a lifejacket from a
lifejacket loaner station.
Swim where there’s a lifeguard.
Supervise children in or near water.
Do not use alcohol or drugs during water activities.
Learn first aid and CPR.
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About King County Parks
King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 200 parks and 28,000 acres of
open space, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain
Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, 215 miles of backcountry trails and a
world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and
community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs.