"and..." And that is stupid. I am so tired of hearing about drownings and boating related deaths...many that could have been prevented if someone had been wearing a life jacket. I saw a boat over Memorial Day weekend with several kids under the age of 12 riding in the boat without life jackets. Then I hear a story (not the same boat) of a family slowly cruising for 10-15 minutes and then realizing one of their kids is missing from the boat. Rescue workers found him submerged along the shoreline they were cruising. I have been in the marketing/advertising field for 15 years and understand that showing people laughing and having fun is more sexy/appealing than the same people with lifejackets. It should be the manufacturer's responsibility to promote the safe use of their product. I would bet a lot of money there are warning stickers all over the box that warns about safe use. Yet they choose to promote it otherwise. Granted it looks like a safe towable...large, big platform, stable etc. But I guarantee people will use it on their local lake with all the wally's out there, choppy water and not think twice about towing people without lifejackets. All it takes is some chop, two people crack heads and one falls in the water. Yes I am a father of 2 young kids. I probably worry more than others. But there needs to be some common sense and responsiblity taken in areas like this. I'll get off my soapbox now.
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