Boating Safety Goes International With 'Ready, Set, Wear It!' Life Jacket World Record Day

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - May 14, 2013) - With summer almost here, families and friends are anxious to enjoy time in the sun and on the water -- boating, fishing, paddling and more. During all recreational water activities it's important to remember safety precautions.

On Saturday, May 18, participants in cities around the globe will gather to set a world record for the most life jackets worn and inflatable life jackets inflated on the fourth annual "Ready, Set, Wear It!" Life Jacket World Record Day [http://www.readysetwearit.com/]. The goal is not only to promote the comfortable and versatile options when it comes to life jackets, but also to educate the public about life jackets and safe boating in general.

The National Safe Boating Council [http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/] and Canadian Safe Boating Council [http://www.csbc.ca/] have again partnered to support this one-day event.

"With Memorial Day Weekend around the corner, this event is a great opportunity to inspect your life jacket and get a refresher on boating safety as you join thousands of people to set a world record," said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council.

"Ready, Set, Wear It!" will usher in National Safe Boating Week, which runs May 18-24, 2013 this year. The North American Safe Boating Campaign ("Wear It!") hosts this event and others in a yearlong effort to bring together boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary wear of life jackets. Since 2010, nearly 7,000 people around the world have participated in the event.

Last year, 3,993 people gathered at more than 145 events worldwide. Miami County Park District in Ohio at Stillwater Prairie Preserve hosted the largest local event in 2012 with 315 participants.

"There's no reason why you can't have fun on the water while also choosing to always wear a life jacket," said Jean Murray, chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council. "There are many styles of life jackets available for all water activities that even allow you to get your perfect summer tan!"

Today's life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters visualize. Life jackets that use inflatable technologies are cool and comfortable. They may resemble a pair of suspenders or a belt pack. Many inflate automatically when immersed in water.

The success of "Ready, Set, Wear It!" depends on local sponsors and partners. Leland Ltd. and iSi Components are providing cartridges to allow participants the opportunity to inflate and practice re-arming techniques of their inflatable life jackets. Marine retail sponsors Cabela's and West Marine are hosting events at store locations throughout the country.

All organizers are asked to record their event through photographs or video as well as a sign-up sheet to ensure an accurate count from each location. The total number of participants will be announced by the "Wear It!" campaign in June. For more information about organizing or participating in an event, event locations, FAQs, photos from past events, and a full list of sponsors please visit ReadySetWearIt.com.

The North American Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information visit SafeBoatingCampaign.com.

Be sure to follow the campaign on Twitter at twitter.com/boatingcampaign and Like Us at facebook.com/SafeBoatCampaign. Share your boating story at SafeBoatingCampaign.com.