PORTLAND, OR -- Following a number of drownings around Oregon, officials urge safety as we head toward the last big recreation weekend of the summer.

Previous Coverage: At Least Seven Apparent Drownings In 12-Day Span. 

Tom Conning, with the US Army Corps of Engineers' Portland District, says men make up nearly 90% of the drownings on waterways managed by the agency. Speaking from a rescue boat Thursday, he told KBND News that most weren't wearing a life jacket. "[It's] Arrogance maybe? Or overconfidence about swimming abilities. I mean, there are some other risky behaviors that males tend to do, as well. You know, 'I’m not expecting to go in the water, so I don’t need to wear a life jacket.' Or, 'I’m a strong swimmer, I don’t need to wear a life jacket.' A lot of that compounds, I think, those numbers."

With just two weeks before Labor Day weekend, Heather Roberts has more with USACE's Tom Conning: