Today in our final installment of Wings, Waves, and Wheels we focus on the efforts of the water patrol to educate and prevent accidents at the lake. Corporal Stacey Mosher says the key is to be proactive…so you don’t have to be reactive.
Mosher works with the water safety council, she and other members of the water patrol do presentations to schools, businesses, anyone that will listen regarding water safety, wearing lifevests, and respecting the dangers that come with being around water.
To prevent accidents, it’s important to know as much as possible about what causes them. Many people ignore or are ignorant of a law requiring them to report accidents.
It’s estimated that there are over a hundred unreported accidents at the lake every year.
Of course Missouri does have a boater safety requirement, but only for those born after January 1st of 1984. Mosher says education, and what is being taught, is important for state residents and visitors alike.
Missouri law only requires you take the course once, but Mosher says she wouldn’t mind seeing a required refresher course.
Another common problem that refresher courses could help with is something Mosher describes as “buoy fatigue.” There are thousands of buoys on the lake and many people mistakenly think they’re all the same.
Despite the number of water patrol officers at the lake, their efforts only go so far…the biggest part of staying safe ultimately comes down to following the existing laws……and that’s what the Patrol is here to remind us of.
This series has been brought to you by Castle Defense 360 security consultants. See them online at www.castledefense360.com. We’d also like to extend our gratitude to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sgt. Scott White, Sgt. Dustin Metzner, Trooper Matt Acord, and Corporal Stacey Mosher for their outstanding cooperation, without which this series would not have been possible. Thank you for tuning in to Wings, Waves, and Wheels.
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