How My Life Jacket Saved My Life

by Sara Weber

This past summer, my family and I were on vacation near the Lake Erie Islands, staying on Marblehead. On our last full day of vacation, we were jet skiing on the east side of North Bass Island.

We got to see where the Canadian border was located. It was fantastic to be able to see the border buoys. “How far was it from the border to Marblehead?'' you may ask.

It was about 14 miles there and about 14 miles back. So it was about 28 miles round trip. Why am I telling this to you? So you have the big picture.

It was a great day for jet skiing. After we had been out on the water for a few hours, we were taking a break on a beach looking at pretty shells and fossils when we saw storm clouds starting to build. We decided it was time to head back to Marblehead. When we got to the big, open water there were huge, choppy waves. I could have sworn that they were four to six foot waves.

I was freaking out. My dad and I got hit straight on with a big wave. We were rocking back and forth hard, my dad tried to gun the accelerator and a wave hit us from the side. Can you guess what happened? The jet ski flipped and we fell in! My mom was on her jet ski and turned around and came back to us. I climbed on the back of her jet ski to ride the rest of the way back to Marblehead with her. We almost flipped too! I felt a pain in my chest the rest of the way

It took a while, but we finally arrived at the dock safely with no real injuries, just being a little scared.

I would be in the bottom of Lake Erie if it weren't for my life jacket. Wear your life jacket! It saved my life and it could save yours!

Sara Weber is 11 years old and has been riding personal watercraft with her family on Lake Erie and around Ohio since she was a year and a half old. Have you had an experience where your life jacket has saved you? Send your story to kris.weber@dnr.state.oh.us and we may feature it in an upcoming Buckeye Boater.