Camas to promote youth water safety

The city of Camas has announced a new campaign aimed at increasing water safety among youth.

The city will launch its “Think Before You Jump” campaign in May as part of its Water Safety Month initiative. Each year, the city promotes water safety with three steps: wear a life jacket, know your limits and know the water. However, this year, the city is drawing special attention to risky water behavior among youth, including jumping from bridges, by raising awareness of the dangers associated with cold-water shock, submerged hazards and unsafe swimming conditions.

“When warm weather gets here, we’re all anxious to get out and enjoy it,” Bryan Rachal, Camas’ director of communications and public affairs, said in a press release. “But it’s important to understand that our water does not warm as quickly as the air temperature, and the shock from the cold water can really impair a swimmer and lead to some dangerous situations. One jump can truly change everything.”

The city recently installed new warning signs along the pedestrian bridge between Lacamas Lake and Round Lake to highlight the potential dangers of jumping from the bridge. The bridge has become a popular spot for people to jump, actions that have resulted in injuries and drowning deaths, according to the press release.

The city will also look to partner with the Camas School District to help spread the word about water safety.