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Boating Safety Reminders

Top 10 Things to Remember when Boating in South Dakota:

Boat Ed South Dakota Online Course

Boat US Foundation South Dakota Online Course

Boater Exam South Dakota Online Course

Life Jacket Loaner Program

In 2000, GFP started the first Life Jacket Loaner Program in the state of South Dakota. The program was developed as a means to not only educate the public about life jacket wear and safety, but also as a means of getting life jackets into the hands of those that needed them.

Overstating the value of life jackets is nearly impossible. Life jackets are to boats as seat belts are to motor vehicles. Life jackets are the single most important piece of equipment that any boat owner not only needs, but is required by law to have aboard his or her boat. However, like seat belts, life jackets are of little use if they are not worn. 

In 2010, there were a reported 4604 boating accidents nationwide. A total of 672 deaths resulted from those boating accidents. Of those deaths, 504 were due to drowning. An overwhelming 88% of those that drowned were not wearing a life jacket. The numbers do not lie, life jackets are a critical piece of boating safety equipment and need to worn in ordered to work. 

So how does the Life Jacket Loaner Program work? The answer is simple. If you or someone you know if planning an outing on a lake or river and find yourselves needing and extra life jacket or two, look to the loaner program. As part of the program, GFP offers life jackets available in sizes ranging from infant all the way up to adult. All of the available life jackets are in good, clean working order and all are US Coast Guard approved. All life jackets are offered at no cost and can be loaned out for up to two weeks at a time. The following is a listing of those GFP Wildlife Division offices that participate in the life jacket loaner program:  Please call ahead as this is a first-come, first-served program.

In addition, the following GFP Park offices will also being offering life jackets as part of the loaner program:

To participate in the loaner program, simply call ahead to ensure availability, visit any of the listed offices during normal business hours, fill out the required loaner/waiver for, and pick up the desired life jacket for loan.

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