Advice for staying safe in the water: “Life jackets only work if you wear them”

Salt Lake City, Utah – Officials are reminding Utahns of certain safety guidelines as well as local rules to assist people stay safe on the water in the wake of the second drowning at Willard Bay in as many weeks.

A crew from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation was summoned by Box Elder County officials on Saturday, August 10, to help in the search for the corpse of Andre Leon Debose, 38, who perished after diving into the lake to save his son.

The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation’s top law enforcement officer, Steve Bullock, was part of the search team that found Debose. Bullock was adamant about wearing life jackets when on the lake as she discussed water safety.

Bullock stated, “Life jackets only function if you wear them.”

Bullock stated that there are “too many tragedies” in which someone rushes into the ocean to try and save another person but doesn’t survive, and that the team is routinely called upon to help with body recovery in similar circumstances.

Bullock stated, “Swimming in open water is just entirely different.” “There are things under the water, and there are unknown hazards.”

So how can folks avoid danger when they’re out on the water? Bullock provided an explanation using a few Utah laws.

According to Bullock and the Division of Outdoor Recreation, every motorboat that is between 16 and 39 feet long has to have a throwable life preserver on board in order to comply with Utah law. It is required for boats longer than forty feet to have a minimum of two throwable life preservers.

Bullock explained that the purpose of having the throwable preservers aboard your boat was to have them conveniently accessible so that you could throw them to someone swimming out of your boat or anywhere else.

The Division of Outdoor Recreation mandates that anyone 12 years of age or under must wear a properly fitting, Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a lake or reservoir.

As stated on the U.S. Coast Guard certification label, “all life jackets fitted and sized properly according to age, weight, activity, and use restrictions.”

Bullock advised everyone to use a life jacket, particularly if inclement weather is forecast.

Bullock stated, “It only counts as a life jacket if you’re wearing it.”

Additionally, Utahns received some reminders from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation regarding what to do in the event of a boating mishap.

If you are physically able to assist others after an accident, you are encouraged to do so and maintain your composure. Additionally, you ought to give contact details to everyone who has been hurt or whose property has been destroyed.

According to the division, “Notify law enforcement immediately if anyone dies, disappears, needs treatment beyond basic first-aid, or the total amount of property damage exceeds $2,000.”

It is against the law to flee the scene of an accident; you must provide assistance, exchange information, and alert the authorities before you can depart.

Within ten days, fill out the boat owner/operator accident report form, sign it, and send it to Utah State Parks. Forms can be obtained online at boating.utah.gov or via park rangers, according to the division.