Living in a river city and at the hub of the Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers, water safety is common language to the area.

Most of the community has grown up around the water and when water safety is brought up, ones mind tends to usually think of children drowning. However, while this scenario is one of reason, adults need as much water safety education as youngsters. Adults also need adhere to the precautions they have been educated on in the past and set examples for their children.

Statistically, approximately 50 percent of the people who drown in the coverage are of the Demopolis&8217; Army Corp of Engineers&8217; site &8212; which is part of the Black Warrior-Tombigbee project in the Mobile district &8212; are middle-aged white males. Also, it has been reported most people drown within 10-30 feet of safety &8212; not necessarily very far from land or boats.

In 2007 the Mobile district reported having 25 fatalities, two of which occurred in the Tombigbee-Black Warrior project. But for 2008, there has already been one fatality.

The local Army Corps of Engineers works water safety programs with the local school systems and through various community outlets. The Corps acknowledges that while the area has been lucky not to see any significantly high numbers of drowning, a lot of that is just that of pure luck. Precautions need to be taken on a regular basis and the water safety and boating laws should be followed strictly to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

Enjoy the beautiful waters we live on the summer, just take the steps necessary to stay safe during your enjoyment.