ALCOHOL, WATER DON'T MIX ON LAKE

During summer, water is a big part of life. We boat on it, swim in it and take fish from it.

Too many times, though, water is not just a provider of recreation, but a killer as well.

"I think drownings at Corps of Engineers projects has got to be the biggest safety problem we have," said Michael McClendon of Wappapello Lake.

From 1986 to 1990, 1,112 people drowned at recreational sites managed by the Corps of Engineers.

White males, between the ages of 19-26, accounted for the majority of drowning deaths. According to the Corps, 985 or 88 percent of the 1,112 victims were males. Only 129 or 12 percent were females.

McClendon said that many times alcohol plays a part in drownings.

"Too many times," said McClendon, "people will try to do things in the water that their body just won't let them do if they have been drinking.

"The best advice I can give to people is don't drink and mix water activities and also have a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) on at all times when in the water."

Corps data also shows that 981 victims or 88 percent were not wearing PFDs.

Renee Bouchard, a park ranger at Clearwater Lake, stressed that children should learn water safety skills.

"Parents should teach their kids to swim," said Bouchard. "Kids should also learn to swim with two or more people. That's the buddy system."

Doug Nichols, a park ranger at Wappapello, recommended that all areas with Corps lakes should have water safety councils.

However, not all communities with Corps projects, including Wappapello, have such councils, he said.

"The council is basically the area communities around the lake getting together and co-operating with the Corps to promote water safety," said Nichols.

He said that these councils have helped to prevent drownings in the areas they serve.