Alaska Office of Boating Safety:

Teaching Alaskans to be safe on the water!

Kids Don’t Float Loaner Board Program

615 Active Boards across 250 Communities

Sand Lake in Anchorage

Kenai River at Cooper Landing

Tanana River in Fairbanks

Confirmed Save #22

July 2010 - Juneau Alaska

A father and his 3-year-old son were on a boat. As the father exited with his back turned, he heard a splash and turned around to see his son quickly surfacing back above the water after slipping off the boat. The father was able to quickly respond and lift him safely out of the water by grabbing KDF life jacket that was on the child.

At least 38 Alaskans, with a statistical life value of $345,600,000.00, have survived a cold water immersion accident, thanks in part to a Kids Don’t Float loaner life jacket.

Confirmed Save #1:

June 1997 - Kotzebue Alaska

A 12-year-old girl (Pamela) slipped into deep water while playing at the waters edge with some friends. 10-year-old Radar Lambert (Non-swimmer) took a KDF PFD and doggie paddled out to save her by bringing her back.

Over the life of the program Alaska’s PFD wear rate has increased and is four times the national average.

Alaska PFD Wear Rate

School Education

243,758 Students taught since the start of the Kids Don’t Float Program.

7841 Total Lessons Taught

6494 of those were Cold Water Survival

375 were Passenger Safety

722 in water pool classes

250 Ambassador trainings

In 2023

13,295 students

435 classrooms

56 pool lessons

Ambassadors

An educational opportunity that empowers the older youth (14 - 19-year-old) to work within their communities to teach and encourage safe practices on the water.

Adult Courses

Alaska Water Wise (AWW):

A boating course for Alaskans. This free course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) as meeting the American National Standard for basic boating knowledge.

Cold Water Paddling:

Learn cold water safety and practice skills in self rescue, assisted rescues, equipment, and basic boat control with canoes, kayaks, and standup paddleboards.

Partners

USCG

USCG Auxiliary

ANTHC

DPS

DHSS

Injury Prevention

Local Rotary Clubs

Alaska Safe Kids

Alaska 529

Knik Canoers and Kayakers

Alaska Raft and Kayak

APU

NASBLA

Migrant Education

ARPA

And many others

Super Partner

Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Office of Boating Safety

550 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 1380

Anchorage, Alaska 99501

Phone: 269-8704

E-mail: joseph.mccullough@alaska.gov

Web: www.alaskaboatingsafety.org

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