SALT LAKE CITY, July 14, 2026 – Every year, the vast majority of boating-related drowning victims are not wearing a life jacket. Now, Utahns have an opportunity to help change that.
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, in partnership with the University of Utah School of Public Affairs, is inviting Utah residents to participate in a statewide Life Jacket Behavior Survey. The survey will help researchers and boating safety professionals better understand how people use life jackets, what influences their decisions to wear – or not wear – them and where future education efforts can have the greatest impact.
The survey is open to Utah residents age 18 and older who spend time on the water. It takes 10-15 minutes to complete and includes questions about life jacket use, boating habits and knowledge of life jacket safety. Participants will also receive practical information about selecting and wearing the proper type of life jacket.
“This is more than a survey; it’s an opportunity for Utahns to help shape the future of boating safety in our state,” said Ty Hunter, boating program manager for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. “Every response helps us better understand the behavioral barriers to life jacket use so we can develop smarter education campaigns, stronger outreach and ultimately save lives.”
Researchers will use the anonymous results to identify trends in life jacket behavior and evaluate how education can improve safe boating practices across Utah. Findings may also help guide future boating safety policies and public awareness campaigns.
The Division encourages anyone who recreates on Utah’s lakes, reservoirs or rivers – including boaters, anglers, paddlers and personal watercraft users – to participate.
“People often think life jackets are only for children, inexperienced boaters or bad swimmers, but drowning can happen to anyone,” said Dr. Tabitha Benney, PhD, professor and associate director, School of Public Affairs at the University of Utah. “By sharing their experiences, Utahns can help us better understand how to encourage more people to wear a life jacket every time they’re on the water.”
According to national boating accident data, approximately 80% of boating-related drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. In Utah, that number is over 90%. Wearing a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket remains the single most effective way to prevent drowning.
The survey can be completed online at: https://csbsutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dhXRSwDNT8MvKrs.
For more information about boating safety and life jacket requirements, visit boating.utah.gov.
About Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation
In 2022, the Utah State Legislature recognized the growing importance of the outdoors to Utah’s economic prosperity and quality of life and created the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR). As part of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, DOR builds on the nation’s first Office of Outdoor Recreation and supports statewide outdoor recreation through key programs and initiatives, including Utah’s Boating Program, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program, Grants, Trails & Planning, the Statewide Trail Crew and Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative.
DOR is committed to ensuring health, safety, enjoyment, and economic benefit through life-enriching, high-quality outdoor recreation for all of Utah’s residents and visitors. DOR’s areas of focus include recreational access, safety and education, stewardship and sustainable visitation, and economic growth and opportunity through outdoor recreation. For more information, visit recreation.utah.gov.
About the University of Utah
The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 17 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and an enrollment of more than 38,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. The U is advancing a new national model for higher education that delivers societal impact through education, research, health care, and community service, while making social, economic, and cultural contributions that improve lives across Utah and around the world.
Media Contacts:
Natalie Pyne
University of Utah Colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences
natalie.pyne@utah.edu | 267.893.9543