Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention
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To identify barriers to life jacket use. ⋯ Life jacket use may increase with more comfortable devices, such as inflatable life jackets, and with increased awareness of their efficacy in preventing drowning. Boater education classes may be associated with increased life jacket use among adults.
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Observational Study
Informing policy on open water drowning prevention: an observational survey of life jacket use in Washington State.
To assess life jacket use among Washington State boaters and to examine the relationship between life jacket use and boating laws. ⋯ Highest life jacket use was strongly associated with laws requiring use and with adult role modelling. Legislation requiring life jackets for ages 13-17 years and social marketing encouraging adult life jacket wear in the company of children and youth are promising strategies to increase life jacket use in Washington State.