Working in the television industry, this time of year I overhear calls for water rescues on the scanner all the time. As temperatures rise, so do the amount of people flocking to the water to cool off. What many don’t realize is that in Oregon, the river water is snow melt, and it’s COLD. That goes for residents and visitors alike.

There is a way to make staying cool on our waterways safer…and that’s by wearing a life jacket. I see story after story about drownings over the summer, but can’t remember a single one where someone was wearing their life jacket.

There is no time to reach for a life jacket in an emergency. Don’t just carry it…Wear It.  

Do you have a story about an "almost" while not wearing a life jacket?