NPS Hosts Ready Set Wear It Event at Milford Beach on May 16

Date: May 11, 2015
Contact: Kathleen Sandt, Public Affairs Specialist, [phone] (O); [phone] (C)

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Superintendent John J. Donahue invites the public to join National Park Service staff, partners, and volunteers in setting a world record for the most lifejackets worn on a given day at a water safety outreach event on Saturday, May 16. The event will be held from 11 am until 2 pm at Milford Beach, in Milford, PA. The program is free and fees to enter Milford Beach will be waived for participants during the program.

The NPS will host Ready, Set, Wear It! Lifejacket World Record Day while kicking off National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 16 to 22, 2015. May is also National Water Safety Month and as the weather warms, more and more people will be heading to the river to recreate. The NPS wants to make sure everyone has a safe trip to the park this summer." Events like this help to increase awareness and give the public an opportunity to learn new skills and get information that could keep them, or a loved one, safe. Accidents and emergencies happen quickly and knowing what to do could save a life," said Superintendent Donahue of the program.

The single most important thing you can do to be safe on or near the water- whether swimming, floating, fishing, or boating-is to wear a properly fitted and fastened US Coast Guard-approved lifejacket in good and serviceable condition. Since 1972, 91 people have drowned in park waters, most of them in the river; not one was wearing a lifejacket that met those requirements.

Ready, Set Wear It! Will include the following activities:

• Volunteers from  the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer free boat safety inspections.
• Park Rangers will present informative sessions on how to rescue yourself or someone else in the water, and how to choose a proper lifejacket.
• NPS Lifeguards will present hands-on activities and programs for children.

At 1:00, program participants will gather at the boat launch and don lifejackets as part of the world record challenge.Lifejackets will be provided, but bring your own if you have one.