Miami-Dade establishes Life Ring Initiative
From David Volz
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and other county leaders held a dedication ceremony for the Aden Perry Life Ring Initiative at Tropical Park.
“The installation of this vital program demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors,” said Levine Cava. “This simple yet effective approach has the potential to save lives in the water, a crucial safety measure for our community. We want these devices to be readily available, so that our beautiful waters can be enjoyed without fear.”
The Aden Perry Hero Life initiative honors the life and heroic actions of high school student Aden Perry, who jumped into a canal in 2022 to rescue another teenager from a submerged vehicle. Tragically, both teens lost their lives in the incident. Aden was later recognized with the Carnegie Hero Fund Medal, North America’s highest honor for heroism by a civilian. His legacy lives on through his mother, Sarah Perry, who continues to advocate for water safety and partners with municipalities and communities to make life rings readily available to help prevent future tragedies.
“We in Miami-Dade County and right here in Tropical Park are surrounded by water. While it is something to behold and enjoy, it is also something to monitor carefully,” said Vice Chairman Rodriguez. “This incredible tool helps all of us see that we are here to care for and look out for each other, and it gives us the confidence that we can do that safely and effectively.”
The plan is to install water rescue stations with life rings at facilities near the water. The stations all consist of Coast Guard-regulated rescue rings securely attached to posts and will serve to empower bystanders to respond effectively to water emergencies without endangering themselves. Each station will also feature clear instructions and essential resources, including a prominent lifesaving message: “THROW DON’T GO.” There will be 10 ring stations installed at Tropical Park, which is the first Miami-Dade County facility to welcome these installations.
“This initiative is part of my mission to save lives and to prevent another good Samaritan from suffering the same fate as my son,” said Sarah Perry. “There was nothing available that night that could have been used to try to save the life of the driver or to prevent my son from losing his. “After losing my son, I knew I had to do something to prevent future drownings and prevent other Good Samaritans from losing their lives when trying to save another. By creating the Aden Perry Hero Life Ring Initiative through the Aden Perry Good Samaritan and Scholarship Fund, The foundation I set up is my son’s name, It is my hope and my mission to have Aden’s Hero Life Rings installed in every city by every waterway possible, so that the next time there’s a water emergency, there is something available that can be used to save a life!”
