Water safety with a message
family memorializes man who lost his life in boating accident
May is National Water Safety Month and National Safe Boating Week is celebrated May 19-25. Until a couple years ago, these were two campaigns that I was hardly aware of, but all that changed after my brother, Kyle Keith, was involved in a tragic boating accident.
On April 13, 2016, Kyle went fishing with one of his best friends at Dells Pond in Eau Claire. It was a beautiful evening, but it had a tragic ending. They didn’t know it, but the boat they were fishing in had been altered by the previous owners, making it less buoyant and unsafe. Kyle always followed all the boating safety rules and laws, and they had their life jackets and throwables with them in the boat. Unfortunately when a gust of wind came up throwing water into the boat, there wasn’t time to grab anything, the boat sank, and Kyle passed away after enjoying his favorite activity that evening.
During the days following his accident, our family learned that Kyle had been working with his employer, Dunkin’ Donuts, and the Eau Claire Water Safety Taskforce to host a fundraiser in May 2016. Our family partnered with Kyle’s Dunkin’ Donuts family to hold this fundraiser in honor of Kyle in both 2016 and 2017. It was a huge success both years!
The Third Annual Family Fun Event and Fundraiser will be Saturday, June 30, at Dunkin’ Donuts, 2836 N. Clairemont Ave. The event will include water and boating safety education from the Department of Natural Resources, the Eau Claire Fire Department Dive Team, Bruce’s Legacy, and the Eau Claire Police Department. Other fun includes family activities by Metropolis Resort, a bounce house, Sprinkles the Donut, games, entertainment, prizes, a silent auction, and more. Jeremy Alaker, CEO/franchisee of the Dunkin’ Donuts store, said the business is committed to continuing this event in honor of Kyle, who was working as a regional supervisor at the time of his accident. “Kyle’s fun, creative, passionate, and winning spirit live on through impacts he made on me personally, our company and all of the folks we work with,” Alaker said. “We would not be where we are today without the lasting impact he made on us all.”
Dave Whitehouse, supervisor of a dive/water rescue unit for the Eau Claire Fire Department and founder and chairperson for the Eau Claire Water Safety Taskforce, added this: “We hope these efforts will continue to see a reduction in water-related emergencies in our community. We believe very strongly in life jacket use whenever around the water.”
Our family has been working to find ways to encourage boating and water safety while also carrying on Kyle’s love of fishing. This spring we created the Kyle Keith R.E.E.L. Fishing Memorial. (The acronym stands for Renewable fishing, Encouraging safe fishing/boating, Engaging partners, and Life jackets.) In addition to the Family Fun Event on June 30, the Third Annual Kyle Keith Memorial Musky Tournament on Saturday, June 9, will help us launch this memorial fund. Funds raised will support our goals, as well as those of partnering organizations, including the Eau Claire Water Safety Taskforce.
Kyle loved fishing! He loved to share this love of fishing with others. He also believed in preserving the sport of fishing for future generations. Kyle always practiced “catch and release” with the muskies he caught, hoping they’d grow a few more inches for the next person! He also supported organizations that stock fish and worked to provide good fish habitats in area lakes.
With the Kyle Keith R.E.E.L. Fishing Memorial Fund, we plan to carry on his legacy and his love for fishing as well as provide education and resources for people to enjoy fishing safely.
Five ways to stay safe in the water
May is designated National Water Safety Month in recognition of the importance of implementing safer water practices during the summer months. As your family takes to the water – whether its boating, floating, swimming, or what have you – make sure to keep these five safety tips in mind:
1. CONSTANT ADULT SUPERVISION.
Actively supervise children and non-swimmers around the water, even when lifeguards are present. Don’t just drop kids off. Avoid distracting activities such as checking email or social media.
2. LEARN TO SWIM.
No matter your age learning to swim is one of the best ways to be safer in and around the water.
3. LOOK FOR LIFEGUARDS.
Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
4. SWIM WITH A BUDDY.
Do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system.
5. WEAR A LIFE JACKET.
This one is a no-brainer. Adults and kids should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while boating. Non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers should also wear a life jacket at all times when in and around the water. Inflatable toys can be fun, but are not a substitute for U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. They might not be the most stylish accessory, but safety should always be your priority, and these life-savers are one of the most basic ways to stay afloat wherever the waters take you.
