The Crisis of Water Safety Literacy: A Professional Reflection

By Jeff Fabiszewski – Outdoor Educator, ACA-Certified Open Water Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer

In the evolving landscape of outdoor recreation, few areas expose the limitations of our public safety infrastructure more starkly than water-based activities. Despite an increase in paddlesport and recreational boating participation, particularly in states like Florida where access to water is abundant, a critical observation remains: the vast majority of individuals on the water possess insufficient water safety knowledge and lack the fundamental skills necessary for responsible navigation, self-rescue, and environmental stewardship.

This observation is not merely anecdotal; it is corroborated by the annual boating accident reports compiled by agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Coast Guard. In the 2023 Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report, it is noted that operator inexperience and lack of boater education consistently rank among the top primary causes of boating accidents. Of the 735 reportable boating accidents in Florida that year, over 70% involved operators who had not taken any formal boating safety education.

As an open water kayaking instructor and professional outdoor educator, I see firsthand the implications of these gaps. Participants arrive to our courses with enthusiasm, yet are often unaware of even the most basic principles—such as how to fit a personal flotation device correctly, how to assess wind and current conditions, or how to conduct a self-rescue. These are not optional skills; they are essential competencies. In an open water environment, ignorance becomes a liability not just to the individual, but to everyone else on the water—including search and rescue personnel.

A contributing factor to this issue lies in the consumer-driven narrative propagated by outdoor retailers and mass-market manufacturers. While recreational boating equipment—particularly kayaks and stand-up paddleboards—has become more affordable and widely available through big-box stores and online retailers, the messaging around these products is dangerously incomplete. Marketing materials focus on ease of use, lifestyle appeal, and convenience, often neglecting to communicate the need for safety training or skill development. This contributes to a growing misconception that recreational boating is inherently safe and intuitive, which is patently false.

Consider the widespread marketing of “recreational sit-on-top kayaks,” often sold without proper paddles, PFDs, or flotation. These vessels are purchased by well-meaning but uninformed consumers who then launch into Florida’s complex coastal and inland waterways—frequently alone, without knowledge of tides, marine traffic, weather dynamics, or emergency procedures. It is not uncommon to see overloaded vessels, improper dress for immersion, and an alarming lack of signaling devices or communication equipment.

The results are predictable: each year, the Coast Guard responds to thousands of preventable incidents. In 2022 alone, the USCG reported 636 boating fatalities nationwide, 75% of which were due to drowning, and 85% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Florida consistently ranks highest in total boating accidents, with a disproportionate number occurring in paddlecraft—yet paddlecraft account for a minority of total boat registrations. This disconnect suggests a rapid increase in unregistered, untrained participation—most of it driven by retail-led access without education.

May Is National Water Safety Month

This reflection takes on even more urgency when placed within the context of May as National Water Safety Month, a national initiative supported by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), American Red Cross, National Recreation and Park Association, and World Waterpark Association. National Water Safety Month aims to raise awareness about the importance of water competency and responsible behavior around aquatic environments.

While this campaign primarily focuses on pools, it reinforces a critical national message: water access must be met with water education. As boating and paddlesports continue to grow in popularity, particularly in a state like Florida with over 8,000 miles of tidal shoreline and hundreds of navigable freshwater bodies, this message must be expanded beyond swimming pools to include our lakes, rivers, estuaries, and open coasts.

Supporting Campaigns: The Safe Boating Campaign

In tandem with National Water Safety Month, the Safe Boating Campaign (https://safeboatingcampaign.com) plays a vital role in improving public safety outcomes on the water. Led by the National Safe Boating Council in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, this international initiative promotes life jacket wear, responsible boating practices, and public outreach through educational resources, community events, and national awareness weeks.

The campaign’s flagship initiative—“Wear It!”—encourages all boaters, regardless of experience or vessel type, to consistently wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. The campaign also highlights cold water immersion risks, weather preparedness, and the use of technology such as VHF radios and emergency beacons. The Safe Boating Campaign provides accessible, evidence-based materials that instructors and community leaders can integrate into courses, outreach, and local policy advocacy.

By partnering with campaigns like this, educators and agencies can amplify their efforts and shift water safety from a passive suggestion to a normalized standard—especially as boating participation diversifies across ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultural communities.

Sea Scouts: A Model for Youth Water Safety Education

A shining example, since 1912, of effective water safety education can be found in the Sea Scouts, a program of the Boy Scouts of America, now Scouting America. Sea Scouts are trained in seamanship, navigation, first aid, boating safety, and environmental responsibility—all under the guidance of qualified adult mentors. These young mariners often exceed the knowledge and water safety practices of many adult recreational boaters.

Through progressive rank advancement and hands-on experience, Sea Scouts develop not only technical skills but also leadership, discipline, and decision-making abilities. They routinely participate in safety drills, man-overboard scenarios, CPR/AED training, and often receive certifications such as the Boater Education Card, Lifesaving, and Wilderness First Aid. Many units also incorporate USCG Auxiliary or ACA training, reinforcing federal standards for safe boating.

From a public safety standpoint, this model does more than prepare youth for responsible recreation—it fosters a generation of informed, skilled ambassadors of water safety, capable of influencing peers, assisting in emergencies, and supporting conservation efforts. The presence of trained Sea Scouts in marinas, public launches, and community events raises the general standard of water behavior and promotes a culture of preparedness over impulse.

The Path Forward: Education, Regulation, and Cultural Shift

To reverse the trend of preventable water-related incidents, we need a three-pronged strategy:

1. Mandatory Water Safety Education: Just as we require drivers to pass knowledge tests before operating motor vehicles, boater education must become a prerequisite for watercraft ownership and operation, including paddlecraft. Florida currently only mandates boater education for individuals born on or after January 1, 1988, operating motorized vessels—a loophole that excludes the vast population of kayak, canoe, and SUP users.
2. Retail Responsibility and Regulation: Outdoor retailers must be held accountable for promoting safety alongside sales. This could include mandatory provision of safety information at the point of sale, bundling of essential safety gear, or even proof of course registration before completing the purchase of a vessel. Partnering with local instructors, such as ACA-certified educators and WFRs, should be the industry norm—not the exception.
3. Community and Cultural Engagement: As professionals, we must continue advocating for water safety education as a civic responsibility. Programs like Sea Scouts and public awareness efforts such as the Safe Boating Campaign should be widely supported and replicated. Safety and environmental literacy must be integrated into school curriculums, recreation departments, and youth development initiatives—ensuring the next generation does more than survive on the water; they lead by example.

Water is a dynamic unforgiving environment

The water is not a playground—it is a dynamic, often unforgiving environment that demands respect, skill, and preparation. Until we close the gap between access and education, we will continue to see tragic, preventable incidents burdening our communities and our agencies. As educators, instructors, and advocates, we have the tools—and the obligation—to change this narrative.

In recognition of National Water Safety Month and the Safe Boating Campaign, I urge educators, retailers, policymakers, and community leaders to treat water safety not as a seasonal campaign, but as a year-round imperative. Let us teach not just how to paddle, but how to do so responsibly, skillfully, and safely. The future of recreational boating—and the safety of those we serve—depends on it.