THE Royal Life Saving Society WA will be swapping old life jackets for new at four different locations around the city over summer.
Along with the Department of Transport (DoT), the society will be running the Old4New lifejacket campaign, exchanging one old or damaged lifejacket for a new, slimline, self-inflating $65 jacket, or a $15 voucher from the DoT.
Society senior manager of research and health promotion, Lauren Nimmo, said it was of concern “that so many people were failing to take their safety seriously while boating not wearing a lifejacket.”
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READ NOWShe said with the new lifejackets available, the uncomfortable bulkiness had gone out the window.
“We’d urge all West Australians to remember our four key messages to keep safe this summer,” Miss Nimmo said, “Wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol around water, always supervise children and learn how to save a life.”
There have been 16 drownings in WA since October 2016.
Studies have found wearing a lifejacket doubles a person’s chance of survival once in the water.
More information about the Old4New lifejacket can be found at www.lifesavingwa.com.au/programs/old4new
Old4New will be taking place at:
-Sunday, February 12, 9am-11am Ocean Reef Boat Ramp