As Quebecers start enjoying the province’s waterways, the Quebec Boating Council is focusing on safety, launching Safe Boating Awareness Week on Saturday.
It’s starting early because two-thirds of the 87 people who drowned on Quebec bodies of water over the past five years did so during May, June and July.
“Victims are most often men who are familiar with the lakes and rivers on which they are boating, who are experienced boaters and good swimmers, and who, unfortunately, do not wear a personal floating device or are not aware of the immediate danger of cold water immersion,” said Yves Paquette, president of the Quebec Boating Council.
By the numbers:
Here are some tips from the boating council:
Wear your personal flotation device, or life-jacket. Last year, 43 per cent of drowning victims had one on board their craft but failed to put it on.
Don’t drink and boat. Your senses can be dulled by fatigue, sun, wind and boat movements. Alcohol intensifies those effects.
Take a boating course. You would not drive a car or truck without training. Training before taking the helm of a boat prepares boaters for problems related to winds, tides and currents.
Prepare yourself and your boat. Inspect your craft, monitor weather conditions, make and share a trip plan.
Cold-water immersion is dangerous. Water below 15 degrees Celsius can instantly paralyze muscles. A person who survives the first five minutes then faces swimming failure and hypothermia.
The Quebec Boating Council promotes safe boating. Members include police forces, the Lifesaving Society and the Quebec Marine Association.
