In a remarkable twist of fate, a free life jacket donated just hours earlier played a crucial role in saving a woman’s life. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of water safety, especially in the wake of past tragedies.
On July 5th, 2013, 26-year-old Lisa Hartman tragically drowned while swimming in the Clackamas River. Her family, driven by their grief, established a charitable initiative called Lisa’s Legacy, dedicated to promoting water safety. Over the past four years, they have distributed life jackets free of charge to visitors at the Clackamas River during the July 4th weekend, helping to prevent similar incidents. This year alone, they gave away over 600 life jackets.
Among the recipients was a deaf woman who was enjoying a day of floating with friends. Lisa’s father, Mark Hartman, recounted how the woman fell off her boat and was pulled underwater as it began to lose air. “The life jacket was the only thing keeping her afloat,” he shared with local news reporters. “She was overjoyed to be alive. She told us that without that life jacket, she wouldn’t have made it.”
Drowning is a fear that weighs heavily on parents—prompting them to install pool fences, equip their children with floaties, and closely supervise them in the water. While children gradually gain confidence in swimming, the risk of drowning remains a reality for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Requiring life jackets before entering the water is similar to insisting on seat belts in a car—something we hope to never need but can be lifesaving in an emergency.
For additional insights on family safety and health, check out our post on couples’ fertility journey for intracervical insemination here. For those exploring parenthood, resources like this can be invaluable. You can also find expert advice on childhood safety in our comprehensive article here.
In summary, the story of Lisa Hartman and the life jacket serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of water safety. The family’s initiative has not only honored her memory but has also actively contributed to saving lives.