{"id":9049,"date":"2023-05-18T13:45:18","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T20:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-azgfd-main.pantheonsite.io\/?p=9049"},"modified":"2023-05-18T22:44:56","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T05:44:56","slug":"azgfds-life-jacket-loaner-program-turns-15-years-old","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/2023\/05\/18\/azgfds-life-jacket-loaner-program-turns-15-years-old\/","title":{"rendered":"AZGFD\u2019s life jacket EXCHANGE program turns 15"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEWS RELEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 18, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life jacket exchange events kick off Saturday, May 20<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PHOENIX \u2014 As the temperatures continue to rise and the school year ends, more people are expected to visit Arizona\u2019s lakes, meaning the risk of water-related accidents will likely increase. To help prevent drownings, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds the public of the importance of wearing a life jacket when boating or recreating at the lakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA life jacket does exactly what it says \u2014 it saves your life when you need it,\u201d said Danny Rodriguez, watercraft law enforcement programs coordinator. \u201cHowever, it can only save your life if you\u2019re wearing one, and often it\u2019s too late to put one on once you realize you need it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the last 15 years, AZGFD has partnered with Arizona State Parks, the US Coast Guard, and the Ryan Thomas Foundation<\/a> to help prevent drownings by establishing 18 lifejacket kiosks at lakes across Arizona, including the following lakes: Pleasant, Mohave, Bartlett, Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, and Lake Havasu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not uncommon for people to arrive at the lakes and realize they didn’t bring a life jacket, or the one they have doesn\u2019t properly fit,\u201d says AZGFD\u2019s boating safety education coordinator, Josh Hoffman. \u201cIf that happens, people can borrow a life jacket (size appropriate) from one of our kiosks, use it on the water, and return it to the station when they’re done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, AZGFD will host free life jacket exchange events across the state. \u201cIf you have an old, worn-out, or improperly fitting life jacket, swap it for a new one at no cost (while supplies last<\/em>) at any of the events we\u2019ll be hosting throughout the next few weeks, says Hoffman. \u201cCurrently, only <\/em>ski vest-type life jackets are eligible for exchange\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life jacket exchange locations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, May 20:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 a.m. – noon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n