By JESSICA FARRISH
The Register-Herald
BLUESTONE LAKE, W.Va. — A day of boat rides, balloons, a “fashion show” and a fun “boat” with siren sounds drove home a serious message about water safety Sunday at Bluestone Lake.
The National Park Service and the West Virginia Army Corps of Engineers presented the annual “Safety on the Blue” event at Bluestone to educate the community on how to enjoy the water while keeping safe.
(Photo by Brad Davis)
“These are public lands, owned by all of us, and we work as hard to keep people safe as we do to protect the park,” NPR Ranger Richard Altaire said.
Some PFDs come with flotation collars to protect wearers in case that are knocked unconscious, he said.
Altare said that most deaths and injuries in public parks occur in the water. He urged those who are boating, including adults, to wear a correct-fitting PFD. By law, all children 12 and under must wear a PFD while on a boat.
He also reminded fishermen to wear PFDs on the New River or Gauley River, reminding listeners of how, as reported in local narratives, Native Americans called the New River “River of Death” because currents are unpredictable, and the river may be knee-high and then suddenly increase in depth, all within a few feet.
“Some men will say, ‘Park Ranger, I’m not going to stand in knee-deep water wearing a life jacket, because it will make me look like I’m afraid of the water,'” Altare said. “I say, ‘No, sir, it doesn’t look like you’re afraid of the river. You’re smart enough to respect that river.'”
For those who believe a life jacket is too hot, Altare offered a tip.
“If you wear a life jacket, pour some water on it and keep it wet,” he advised. “It’s like having a little air conditioner on you.”
Kid-friendly booths included face painting and Bobber the Water Safey Dog, presented by the Army Corps of Engineers of Huntington.
Brianna Wills, 5, got her face painted a happy yellow color.
“It was fun,” she said, but the most fun was “the boat,” an interactive display at Bobber booth.
“He will go wee-woo,” she demonstrated. “They’ve got music, and the eyes open and close.”
Brianna’s brothers, Jacob Lee Adkins, 10, and Josh Adkins, 8, also gave kudos to the boat.
Josh named it “Coral.”
“I just call him that,” Josh explained. “He sprays water a lot. Every time I touch him, like this, he just sprays, trying to get me away from it.”
Jacob Lee gave “Coral” high ratings.
“I’m going to say I liked this,” Jacob Lee said of the boat, “and I’m going to say I liked all the games.”
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