Life jackets save lives

The Fourth of July holiday is reportedly one of the busiest boating weekends of the year. Safety advocates say life jackets could play a pivotal role in keeping boaters out of harm's way.

Research conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard indicates that wearing a life jacket is the number one safety precaution boaters can take on the water.

"Accidents happen in an instant," said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, the organization that produces the annual "Wear It" campaign. "And if you aren't wearing your life jacket, the reality is that you probably won't have time to reach for a stowed one."

In order to ensure a national dialogue about life jackets and to remind boaters that accidents can happen when least expected, Christa Miller, star of the comedy "Scrubs," is promoting the national "Be a Survivor" contest, a summerlong initiative that encourages recreational boaters of all ages to submit personal stories on how the life jacket has made a difference in their boating experiences.

Boaters can enter online at www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com or by obtaining an entry form at West Marine stores.