Reclamation's Lower Colorado Region Hosts Life Jacket Safety Day

Employees learned about various types of personal floatation devices and survival techniques in the water

Written by: Teddy Tolentino

Practicing being rescued by a rescue rope.The Lower Colorado Region’s mission work includes boating and diving activities for programs including Dam Safety and the Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP). To teach and promote water safety, 40 employees and summer students attended the Life Jacket Safety Day hosted by the Diving and Marine Operations Office and the Boulder City Safety Committee at the Boulder City Pool on July 31.

The Life Jacket Safety Day, held at the Boulder City Pool, was designed to educate local Reclamation employees on the use and maintenance of several types of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), as well as teach them survival techniques in the water.

The interactive safety training program was divided into four stations. The first station demonstrated and engaged the participants in how to check for proper fit and serviceability of a PFD by inspecting them for damage.

The second station showcased two different types of PFDs that are approved for use by Reclamation employees. The different PFDs used for Life Jacket Safety Day included the simple vest and the two piece flotation suit.

At a third learning station, trained LCR employees engaged the participants in the use of rescue flotation devices like the water rescue rope and a rescue life ring.

The fourth station explored water survival techniques in case a person was stranded in open water. Participants were instructed in survival positions which included curling up to minimize body area and huddling together with other survivors to preserve body heat.

The life jacket safety day also met with members of the region’s Dive Team and MSCP personnel trained to operate Reclamation boats as part of their work on the lower Colorado River.

Learning to float in the survival suit.

Organizing the various life jackets and flotation devices.

Testing the buoyancy of the life jacket.

Various styles and sizes of life jackets.

Published on August 15, 2017