The red month of August eventually turns into the cooler months of Autumn, which leaves only a short amount of time for visitors and locals to fully enjoy the Delaware River and all it has to offer – but with that short amount of time left it is vital to remember that no matter what the temperature is, how sunny it may be, or how many people are around, your life jacket is the most critical part of your river trip.

It is easy to forget how mean natured the river can truly be. It is a wild asset and is inherently dangerous to everyone, including the greatest swimmers around us. Earlier this summer, the river tragically took the life of a person. It is the goal of every volunteer safety organization within the county to minimize these dangers, but the real responsibility for the river safety falls on those who go on the river.

Sure, it’s not the most attractive apparel in the world, and maybe it isn’t the most comfortable apparatus available, but please wear your life jackets when out on the water. Safety isn’t about looks or swag – it’s about keeping you alive to see more trips down river after this season is over.

Most, if not every kayak and tube rental business in Sullivan County, have life jackets available for you to use including with the water craft, so price is not an excuse. Not only does not wearing your life jacket put yourself in danger, but it jeopardizes the health and safety of everyone else on the water. 

Don’t make your friends have to play heroes. 

And it isn’t just the Delaware that hides dangers under the surface. Dozens of lakes, streams and other bodies of water hold an air of maliciousness. Life preservers work in every setting, and always keep one handy.

This area invites a breath of the wild, a call to enjoy nature that is a gift to visitors and locals alike, and it is a great thing to answer that call. Those with access to its resources have a great opportunity to utilize them, but respect must be given to the natural world that we inhabit.

With that being said, continue to pass on the word that life jackets save lives!