Wear your life jacket
The single biggest lifesaver, for boaters and paddlers alike. Most people who drown while boating weren't wearing one.
Boating / Water safety
The part that keeps you alive.
Texas leads the nation in some drowning numbers, and most of those deaths were preventable. This is the heart of the whole guide. The rest is paperwork - this is the point.
The one habit
Wear your life jacket
You only get seconds in an emergency - not enough time to dig out a life jacket and put it on. Wear it the whole time you're on the water; most people who drown while boating weren't wearing one. Make putting it on part of getting in the boat.
TPWD Life Jacket Requirements ->The safety basics
Simple habits, every trip. They're what the data says actually saves lives.
Don't drink and boat
Alcohol is a top factor in boating deaths, and sun, heat, and motion make it hit harder than on land.
Watch children every second
Drowning is fast and silent. Pick a 'water watcher' whose only job is eyes on the water.
Beware low-head dams
These small concrete dams across rivers create a churning backwash that can trap a person or a boat - some safety groups call them 'drowning machines.' Never go over or near one; get out and carry around.
Respect cold water
Falling into cold water can make you gasp and lose muscle control within minutes - another reason to wear your life jacket and dress for the water.
Watch the weather
Get off the water before storms and lightning. Texas weather turns fast.
Beat the heat
Bring water, sunscreen, and shade - heat exhaustion sneaks up on you on the water.
Swim at your own risk
Most lakes and rivers have no lifeguards. Know your limits, and never swim alone.
Mind carbon monoxide
Idling engines and generators give off carbon monoxide that can build up around the back of the boat and in enclosed spaces. Keep fresh air moving.
Keep going
Official sources
Water-safety guidance comes from TPWD; life-jacket standards come from the U.S. Coast Guard. The numbers vary by year, but the lesson doesn't: wear your life jacket.
- Data vintage:
- Safety facts as reviewed June 2026
- Last reviewed:
- June 15, 2026
- TPWD Water Safety - Drowning prevention
- TPWD River Safety
- TPWD Life Jacket Requirements
Caution: This is general safety information, not professional or legal advice. Conditions change fast - use your own judgment and the official guidance.
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