AURELIUS --- In Bass Pro Shops Instructor Ralph Gray's mind, there is nothing more important in boating safety than availability and usage of personal floatation devices.

According to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, 21 people in the state died in 2008 in boating accidents, which marks an increase of seven fatalities from 2006. A leading cause of those fatalities was due to a lack of flotation devices.

"If we can educate people to be safe in the water, if everyone was wearing a personal flotation device, of those 21, we probably could have dropped that down to five or six," Gray said.

And that's the goal he has in mind when teaching a boater's safety course for Bass Pro Shops. The course, offered on Sunday, was attended by adults and children looking to learn more about safety and the rules and regulations that govern the waters.

Gray, a retired Cayuga County Sheriff's deputy who teaches numerous classes for Bass Pro, said everyone can benefit from this course, which is a requirement for those that want to operate personal watercraft.

"I think, right now in New York state, a person that has never been a boater before can go out and buy a recreational vehicle and legally, with no training or instruction, can jump on that boat and go where they want," Gray said, who is involved with the sheriff office's marine patrol. "There are so many people out there that don't have a clue."

But that's why siblings Aubrey Herbert, 13, Teddy, 12, and Joey, 10, of Auburn, decided to take the course. They have a boat and jet ski, and want to receive the proper certification to operate them.

"Our dad teaches us," Aubrey said, "but we're learning a lot from this and everything that needs to be approved."

Robert Young, of Weedsport, has been teaching his son, Andy, 12, about boating safety, but Robert knows that he doesn't know everything and that there's nothing wrong with more instruction.

"It just comes down to safety all around," he said. "You can say, 'My family taught this way for generations,' but rules and regulations change. You have to keep up with this stuff, not only for safety regulations, but also rules and regulations. You have to know for your safety and other people's safety."