See Why People are Wearing Life Jackets to Work on Friday

This Friday, you might see people going about their daily lives with some out-of-place aquatic wardrobe—life jackets! No, this isn’t a fashion statement or a trendy fad. So then what’s with all the floatation devices?

Sea Scouts, BSA has teamed up with boating professionals and boating enthusiasts in support of “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day on Friday, May 20. The goal of this oceanic event is to educate people about the types of life jackets available and how easy is it to sport these life-saving accessories.

The annual event, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), kicks off National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27, the official launch of the 2016 North American Safe Boating Campaign.

“Educating the boating public about the safety and comfort of life jackets has been a main focus of the North American Safe Boating Campaign,” explained a recent post on the Sea Scouts’ official blog.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, approximately 84 percent of drowning victims were not wearing life jackets, so it’s crucial to educate people about how easy it is to take this simple step of precaution. Considering the Sea Scouts are both maritime masters and know how to “Be Prepared,” they’re the perfect teammates to have on board for this effort.

Whether you live in a land-locked or coastal community, “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day will take place wherever you are! Send a photo of yourself sporting your trusty life jacket at work or school this Friday and share it with the the National Safe Boating Council at outreach@safeboatingcouncil.org, on the Ready, Set, Wear It! Facebook page, or on Twitter with the hashtag #readysetwearit.

For more information on “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day,” check out the Sea Scouts’ official blog, where you can get the latest on Scouting’s newest independent program.

Planning to don your life jacket this Friday? Tell us what kind you’re going to wear in the comments!