A Deadly Combination

A June 26, 2007 item noted ACSH's recommendations on alcohol and water safety:

At the Lake of the Ozarks, seven fatalities have already been recorded this year. Six were drowning victims while the other fatality was the result of a boating accident. According to the Missouri State Water Patrol, a common thread linked all the deaths -- alcohol. And according to a Water Patrol spokesman, most, if not all those deaths could have been prevented had those involved worn life jackets and not been consuming alcohol.

While boating while intoxicated has been prohibited by law for many years, there is no statute that prevents a person from swimming after consuming alcohol.

According to the American Council on Science and Health, no one should drink alcohol, even in moderation, before engaging in activities such as boating, swimming, diving, and skiing.