According to the Florida Department of Health, and Bureau of Vital Statistics; Florida has lost a total of 4,369 priceless lives ages ranging from 0-100 years between the years 2010 and 2020, due to a preventable death: drowning. Florida is known as a peninsula surrounded and intersected by intricate canal systems, and natural waterways such as ponds, lakes, and rivers. Our waterways and water-related activities are an integral part of life here in the sunshine state and so are our citizens and visitors. 

Lifeguarding has and always will be our greatest and most important asset to water rescue we have in Florida, saving thousands of lives every year.  However, many patrons do not choose lifeguard-protected waterways to swim in or enter the water before/after lifeguarding patrol hours. Many State parks are not required to have a lifeguard on duty and this is where danger takes root for those who visit the park and go into the water. Lifeguards continuously keep an eye on a swimmer's safety as well as advise the public on current water conditions via the safety flag system posted on the lifeguarding stations.  Lifeguards must be employed by state and local disciplines to patrol designated swimming areas and this petition was created to demand that this request be made law. 

In addition to lifeguarding, water rescue stations are as important to save lives.  

All pools are obligated to have a life ring present, should a swimmer experience distress and require assistance. " Pools over 50 feet in length must have at least one ring along each of the longer sides of the pool." - Florida Department of Health. The same rule must be made for open water designated swimming areas allowing Water rescue stations to be installed and available for anyone who witnesses a swimmer experiencing distress before or after lifeguarding patrol hours. Water rescue stations consist of a protective cabinet holding a life ring and a 100-foot rope, suspended on stainless steel or wooden post. The cabinet can also be installed on a railing or wall. These stations are in no way intended to replace a lifeguard, they are an added layer of protection to curtail the number of drowning deaths in the state of Florida. Additionally, The American Red Cross has advised that we "Reach Or Throw, Don't Go ". You should reach out to a drowning victim instead of jumping into the water yourself to save the victim and risk your own life! This is where water rescue stations become a critical necessity to save lives and prevent rescuers from becoming victims themselves. 

This petition was created to request the following:
1. Each state-owned park employs at least one lifeguard present during operating hours. 

2. Local municipalities throughout the state are responsible for ensuring that their waterways are secured with a safe amount of lifeguards to patrol the entire shoreline the individual municipality is entrusted with. 

3. Water rescue stations must be placed within all designated swimming areas as an added layer of protection to be used only when a lifeguard is not present and used to reach out to a drowning victim within the water, while the rescuer remains on shore. 

Please join me in signing this petition and seeing positive change be made to prevent drowning and save lives in our great state of Florida. 

Thank you!