Water Safety

An overhead veiw of a boats on the lake.

Buddy Beaver hugs a child wearing his life vest.

INDIVIDUALS THAT GOT CAUGHT WEARING THEIR LIFE JACKET!!!

Water Safety Programs

Ranger Card Program

In 2010 the Ranger Card Program had a very successful year! Because of the HUGE response last summer, Buddy Beaver and the Ranger staff are happy to announce that the Ranger cards are back again this summer in 2011!

Children 15 years of age and under can receive prizes if they collect a certain amount of different ranger cards. To receive a ranger card, the child must answer a water safety question or practice safe swimming and boating practices. Please visit our Ranger Card Program page for the guidelines and award schedule for this program.

Kids, remember to ask a ranger for a card when you see them again next summer!

Ranger Card Brochure

Special thanks to Cherokee County Safe Kids, Cherokee County Fire Dept, WellStar Foundation and Sun Valley Beach for contributing prizes to this water safety program.

Life Jacket Loaner Program

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a Life Jacket Loaner Program for individuals (adult and children) that do not have a personal flotation device (PFD) and want to experience Allatoona Lake safely. The Life Jacket Loaner Program is available at most campgrounds and day use areas operated by the Corps of Engineers. All that is required by visitors to secure a life jacket is a proper form of identification. If you have forgotten your life jacket, do not own a life jacket, or possess a life jacket that is unsafe or doesn't fit properly, please drop by the day use area and borrow a life jacket! Please visit our Life Jacket Loaner Program page for more information.

Life Jacket Loaner Program

FOR YOUR SAFETY

When visiting Allatoona Lake, we recommend that you review the following safety messages for a safe and enjoyable time:

	When on or near the water, children should be wearing a properly fitted coast guard approved personal flotation device. Don't let a moment of carelessness cause a lifetime of grief! Water Safety is your responsibility.
	Parents of small children should be aware that inflatable rings and floats are not approved personal flotation devices when on or near the water. Strap an approved PFD on your child so that a moment of carelessness will not cause a lifetime of grief. Think Water Safety.
	When swimming it's safer and more fun to be in the water with someone else. Never swim alone. Always swim parallel to the shore and never across a body of water. The life you save may be your own!
	It's a lot of fun to float on an air mattress, inner tube or inflatable raft when you come to the lake. But remember to stay close to shore and out of the boating channels and traffic. Boats have the right-of-way. Don't risk your life...It's not worth it!
	A water safety tip. When going into the water, never dive in head first if you can't see the bottom. There may be an unseen rock or stump or the water might be shallow. Don't allow a moment of carelessness to confine you to a wheelchair for life or maybe even kill you!
	"I didn't see him till it was too late", is often heard after a boat collision. Alcohol has both physical and mental effects. It slows the ability to observe and react, and causes unpredictable and reckless behavior. Responsible boat operators save their drinks till they get home.
	Research has shown that 4 hours in a boat on the water being exposed to noise, vibration, sun, glare, wind and other motion on the water produces a "boater's hypnosis" or fatigue. It slows reaction time as much as if you were legally drunk. Adding alcohol to boating stress factors intensifies their effects - Think before you take that drink - Safe boating is no accident!

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Boating Safety Courses

Georgia Boating Rules

Buddy Beaver does a water safety class at a local school.

Water Safety Links

US Army Corps' National Water Safety Program

The American Red Cross

US Coast Guard

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Safe Kids USA

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

GA Department of Natural Resources

Teacher's Corner

The Corps of Engineers at Lake Allatoona offers water safety programs to local area schools. Let Buddy Beaver teach your children the valuable lessons of water safety! Programs are offered during the months of March, April, and May.

Please contact our Interpretative Ranger for further details at (678) 721-6700.

KIDS' KORNER

The online water safety adventures of Corky, Sinker, and Bobber the Water Safety Dog!