Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record
Day
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Checklist for Organizing and Hosting an Event
PRIOR TO THE EVENT
 Determine Your Location and Audience
o
Locations To Consider: Marinas, Launch Ramps, Retail Stores
o
Audience To Consider: Politicians, Media, General Public
 Coordinate With the Local Property Owner
o
Ensure Accessibility and Hours of Operation
o
If at a retail location, consider offering a safe boating class or educational
seminar on life jackets
 Make Sure the Location Will Accept Potential Number of Participants
o
Consider the Photo Opportunities and Visibility of Participants
o
IMPORTANT: For every signature on the sign-in sheet, there needs to be a
corresponding photo to count towards the world record
 REGISTER the Event on www.ReadySetWearIt.com
o
You will be contacted by Diane Corish, Communications Coordinator
([email protected]) at the National Safe Boating Council with
follow-up information
 Find out if there are Local Survivors (“Saved by the Jacket”)
o
Is there someone that was in a boating accident that was wearing a life jacket
and believes their life was saved by wearing it?
o
Are they willing to share their story?
o
Contact your state BLA or Education Coordinator for assistance
Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Checklist
Page 2 of 4
 Learn How To Dispose of all Discharged Cylinders
o
Check with your local recycling center to see if they recycle steel
 Contact Local Retail Stores that Sell Life Jackets
o
Encourage them to have sufficient inventory of all life jacket types and rearming kits for inflatable life jackets
o
Other boating safety equipment should also be in-stock

o
Fire Extinguishers, etc.
Encourage the retailer to run a sale and advertisement during National Safe
Boating Week (May 20 – 26, 2017)
 Use www.ReadySetWearIt.com and its Resources to Promote Your Event
o
Official Hashtag: #RSWI2017
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Press Releases, Media Alerts
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Public Service Announcements
o
Sign In Sheet for Event (REQUIRED to have event counted towards world
record – due no later than May 31, 2017)
 Equipment
o
Camera (and optional photographer)
o
Video Camera (and optional videographer)
 Work with your state Boating Law Administrator or Education Coordinator
(www.NASBLA.org)
o
They may be able to promote the event through different markets
o
They may be available to participate in the event
o
They will be able to provide state-specific information
 Work with Local Boating Professionals
Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Checklist
Page 3 of 4
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U.S. Coast Guard (www.USCGBoating.org)
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Marine Enforcement
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Volunteers (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron)
o
Encourage them to wear their uniforms
 Have Life Jacket and Rearming Kit Information Available for Participants Before and
During Event
ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT – Saturday, May 20, 2017
 Ask Participants to Arrive 30 Minutes Early
o
Explain how the event will work, including the inflation process for those who
have inflatable life jackets
o
Explain that each person with an inflatable life jacket will need to re-pack their
life jacket after inflation
o
Designate at least one person to inflate the life jacket using the oral inflation
tube
* Please note participants are not required to inflate their life jackets
 Set Up A Staging Area
o
Hang a background banner from a trailer or table top
o
Have the Sign In Sheet(s) Ready
o
Have the camera/photographer at Staging Area
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Have designated location for re-arming station at Staging Area
 Have Expert Personnel on-hand
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Spokesperson/Emcee
o
Expert on Re-Packing the Life Jackets
* Have expert document any problems with inflation
Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Checklist
Page 4 of 4
 Position Participants for “Ready, Set, Wear It!” Documentation/Inflation
o
Line participants up for video/photo
 Commence a Countdown
o
Start at 10, 9, 8… instead of 3, 2, 1 – say “Ready, Set, Wear It!”
AFTER THE EVENT
 REQUIRED: Email Your Photos/Videos to [email protected] by May
31, 2017 Deadline
o
Label each photo/video with LOCATION of EVENT and # of PARTICIPANTS
 REQUIRED: Send Your Official Sign In Sheets to [email protected] by
May 31, 2017 Deadline
 IMPORTANT: For each participant signature, there MUST be a corresponding photo
of that participant to count towards the world record
 Official Hashtag: #RSWI2017