Life jackets do what they advertise and save lives
Anyone hitting the water as temperatures warm, is reminded to wear a life jacket. While slight warm-ups may flirt with summer, the water is cold and rough, and life jackets are a must before shoving off from the shore for the year’s first paddle.
“Safety is an important part of water fun,” said DNR Lt. Darren Kuhn, DNR boating law administrator. “Most drowning victims on Wisconsin waterbodies, were not wearing life jackets.
Putting safety first by wearing a life jacket and having respect for the water, are two important things to remember when going to any Wisconsin river and lake, to enjoy warm spring days.
Nearly 80 percent of last year’s 25 boating fatality victims, were not wearing life jackets. Of those, 91 percent were male, with an average age of 46.
The department does not track all drownings – only those fatalities linked to the use of a recreational activity item, such as a boat, kayak or canoe. Current and past boating incident reports are available on the DNR website.
“Wardens have responded to numerous drowning deaths, only to find a life jacket stuffed inside a kayak or floating near the capsized canoe,” said Kuhn. “Deaths from drowning are preventable. Putting on a life jacket before wading, playing along shores or getting in a boat, gets you ready to focus on the fun.”
Life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than in the past. There are innovative options, such as inflatable life jackets, allowing mobility and flexibility for boating, fishing, paddling or hunting, and they are much cooler in the warmer weather.
Statistics show boaters who wear life jackets and take boater safety courses, are most likely to stay safe on Wisconsin waters. Always follow the basic safety tips listed below, and enjoy Wisconsin’s great lakes and rivers, with family and friends.
• Sign up to take an online boater education course.
• Always wear a properly fitted life jacket that has a snug fit and is fastened when on, or near, the water. Life jackets will keep the swimmer on top of the water if they walk off an unexpected drop-off, or a wave or current overpowers them, they fall out of a boat or off a paddleboard.
• Enjoy the waters sober and know limits. Alcohol blurs a person’s judgment, reaction time and abilities.
• River shorelines and sandbars pose unseen dangers. Higher, fast-moving water can tax an individual’s boating, paddling and swimming skills.
• Keep an eye on the weather and let someone know where the destination is.
• Consider wind conditions when venturing out on a small watercraft, canoe, kayak or paddleboard.
• Be ready for the unexpected and always wear a life jacket.
