With no life vest law, Wash. waterways prove deadly
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Washington state's scenic waterways are also proving to be dangerous and deadly this year.
• A 2-year-old died after wandering into Horseshoe Lake.
• A 16-year-old succumbed to the deceptively cold waters at Lake Tapps.
• Strong currents in the Green River swept away a 19-year-old.
• A Harborview nurse drowned off Cape Disappointment.
• And a man taken to Harborview Medical Center this week after his attempt to save a child went horribly wrong - is still fighting for his life.
That's just in the last two months - and doesn't include all the water rescues crews have responded to in that time.
Last year a King County ordinance required anyone on the water wear a life jacket. But this year that measure isn't in place - and the KOMO 4 Problem Solvers set out to find out why.
On a recent day, one of our news crews found a group of friends at Flaming Geyser State Park, heading out for a float on the Green River. The waterway beckoned, cold and refreshing, on a warm day.
But Troy Conrad, the leader of the float trip, wasn't setting a good example. He was heading out on the river without a life jacket - and admitted he doesn't even have one.
"I haven't been in any predicaments in the past where I needed one," he said.
That kind of thinking makes marine rescue officers cringe. Just last week, a 19-year-old wading in the river got swept away and died.
"In a very calm area you might find yourself in trouble," says Sgt. Jim Knauss of the King County Sheriff's marine unit.
This year the Sheriff's Office has launched a public education campaign - posting more signs along rivers and handing out flyers, reminding people a life jacket can make a difference.
Deputies say that last year - when life jackets were required - not one person floating the river died.
"And if they did not have life jackets it probably would have been a different story," says Knauss.
This year, the King County council opted not to pass an ordinance requiring life jackets on rivers - since water levels are not as high.
Troy Conrad admitted he would be wearing a life jacket on the river if it were a legal requirement.
"All they have to do is make it a law," he says.
Meanwhile, everybody else in Conrad's group opted for a life jacket.
"No, I don't need a law. I'm going to take every precaution I can take, you know," says Patrick Paulino, one of the group.
Those who don't wear a life vest have plenty of excuses. It's too hard to move. It's too hot. It looks dorky.
But Patrick Paulino doesn't pay attention to that.
"I got two beautiful girls and a wife," he says.
• A 2-year-old died after wandering into Horseshoe Lake.
• A 16-year-old succumbed to the deceptively cold waters at Lake Tapps.
• Strong currents in the Green River swept away a 19-year-old.
• A Harborview nurse drowned off Cape Disappointment.
• And a man taken to Harborview Medical Center this week after his attempt to save a child went horribly wrong - is still fighting for his life.
That's just in the last two months - and doesn't include all the water rescues crews have responded to in that time.
Last year a King County ordinance required anyone on the water wear a life jacket. But this year that measure isn't in place - and the KOMO 4 Problem Solvers set out to find out why.
On a recent day, one of our news crews found a group of friends at Flaming Geyser State Park, heading out for a float on the Green River. The waterway beckoned, cold and refreshing, on a warm day.
But Troy Conrad, the leader of the float trip, wasn't setting a good example. He was heading out on the river without a life jacket - and admitted he doesn't even have one.
"I haven't been in any predicaments in the past where I needed one," he said.
That kind of thinking makes marine rescue officers cringe. Just last week, a 19-year-old wading in the river got swept away and died.
"In a very calm area you might find yourself in trouble," says Sgt. Jim Knauss of the King County Sheriff's marine unit.
This year the Sheriff's Office has launched a public education campaign - posting more signs along rivers and handing out flyers, reminding people a life jacket can make a difference.
Deputies say that last year - when life jackets were required - not one person floating the river died.
"And if they did not have life jackets it probably would have been a different story," says Knauss.
This year, the King County council opted not to pass an ordinance requiring life jackets on rivers - since water levels are not as high.
Troy Conrad admitted he would be wearing a life jacket on the river if it were a legal requirement.
"All they have to do is make it a law," he says.
Meanwhile, everybody else in Conrad's group opted for a life jacket.
"No, I don't need a law. I'm going to take every precaution I can take, you know," says Patrick Paulino, one of the group.
Those who don't wear a life vest have plenty of excuses. It's too hard to move. It's too hot. It looks dorky.
But Patrick Paulino doesn't pay attention to that.
"I got two beautiful girls and a wife," he says.
