Dear reader,

My name is Lina. I am a senior at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. Over the summer, I was given the opportunity to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District in the Public Affairs Office. One of the things that I often saw that left me stunned, was the number of drownings reported at Corps’ lakes.

I’m here writing to the public of all ages, but mainly I want to reach the younger generation that I am growing alongside.

One thing I quickly learned is that drowning is silent and it happens more often than you think. The most recurring theme that I saw was that a majority of the drownings reported were those of young adults and teens. I read what seemed like almost daily about young men and women my age who died from accidental drowning. That’s when I realized what water safety really means and what a life jacket can really do.

Just imagine waking up early and taking a trip to the lake with all your friends and family. Even though you’re a little tired, you still want to have a great day at the lake. You’re out in the cool water, floating without a life jacket and fighting your exhaustion. Then everything goes black…

The smallest reason can cause an accidental drowning, just like exhaustion and not wearing a life jacket. It is very easy to take the use and meaning of a life jacket lightly. But after receiving news once or twice week over the summer about the drownings of teens and young adults who were not wearing a life jacket made me realize how important it is to know why you need to wear one.

From a young adult still learning the ways of life, to my generation, let’s become safer and smarter leaders for the coming generation. Let’s become daughters and sons who don’t want to burden our family and friends with death, because we decided to ditch the life jacket. To the older generation, don’t stop pursuing your family’s safety. A choice made like not wearing a life jacket is not worth losing one’s life.

We are in this together, so let's keep each other afloat. Wear it right and you’ll be alright.

Sincerely,

Lina