Although school is back in session, the weather is still warm, so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has launched a campaign to encourage swimmers to wear life jackets in the water.
Joseph Ponder, a natural resource specialist and ranger with the Corps of Engineers, has spent the past few days handing out posters in Starkville and Columbus, which encourage people to wear life jackets. The poster features a photo of Mississippi State University”s mascot, Bully, and the Corps of Engineers” water safety mascot, Buddy Beaver, donned in life jackets with a message below that says “Why Dawg Paddle? Wear your life jacket today, be alive tomorrow.”
The poster is an attempt to reach college-aged residents of the Golden Triangle, Ponder said.
In the Corps of Engineers” Mobile District, which covers Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, 16 people have drowned so far this year, though there have been no drownings in the Golden Triangle, Ponder said. Of those 16 drowning victims, 14 were male and two were female. The average age was 31 years old and none of the victims were wearing life jackets.
“We”ve been very fortunate not to have any (drownings) in this area,” Ponder said this week as he passed out posters in Starkville.
Now, the Corps of Engineers is embarking on a campaign to encourage people to use life jackets, learn to swim, swim only in designated areas and use the buddy system while boating or swimming. Ponder also warns people not to mix alcohol with water activities, and to reach or throw items to others who are struggling in the water instead of trying a rescue.
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