As Texas braces for sweltering temperatures, Texans are heading to the water to cool off, but with an increase in aquatic activities, the threat of water-related accidents looms. May, recognized as National Water Safety Month, prompts the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to highlight precautions for a safer splash. Last year, Texas saw 175 boating accidents and 28 fatalities, per a recent TPWD press release. Cody Jones, the assistant commander for marine enforcement, stressed that awareness and education could help lower these numbers.
“Accidents on the water can happen quickly and unexpectedly. It’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and practice boating safety," Jones told TPWD. In an effort to curb these grim statistics, a significant piece of advice was emphasized: wearing life jackets. In 2023's incidents, over 57% of water-related deaths were due to drowning, with 75% of those victims not wearing a life jacket at the time of death, according to TPWD reports.
A life jacket - not just any floatation device lying around - should be worn at all times on the water, as stated by Kimberly Sorensen, boating education manager. "In the event that an accident does occur, it is unlikely someone will have time to find their life jacket and properly secure it, so it is best to wear one at all times when on the water,” Sorensen explained to TPWD. Texas law requires life jackets to be accessible to all boat and paddle craft occupants with children under 13 mandated to wear them at all times while on board.
Another often-overlooked device is the engine cut-off switch. This safety tool, usually attached with a lanyard to boat operators, at greater than idle speed, ensures that the engine shuts down automatically should the operator become displaced. Texas law takes this device seriously, mandating its usage on personal watercraft or motorboats shorter than 26 feet. In their safety campaign, TPWD also released a video guide on selecting the right life jacket size for children, underlining that "adult-sized life jackets are not appropriate for children to wear, and you should never buy a life jacket for your child to ‘grow into.’"
With boating season in full swing, TPWD's focus is not just on the inexperienced but on seasoned skippers as well. Jones warned, "Most accidents and injuries happen when people are cruising around in boats or relaxing on the water; nearly a quarter of all operators involved in an accident have had more than 500 hours on the water.” These figures suggest that even the well-practiced are prone to mishaps, prompting a reminder to never drop your guard. For further information on boating safety, laws, and how to enroll in boater education safety courses, TPWD encourages visits to their website.
