Boaters, paddlers urged to wear life jackets on cold water

During spring, the air warms but Washington’s waterways remain cold. Safety officials are reminding boaters and paddlers that wearing a life jacket is key for cold-water safety.

While people are encouraged to always wear a life jacket no matter the water temperature or season, public safety officials stress that wearing a life jacket – not just having it on the boat – significantly increases the chances of surviving an unexpected fall into cold water.