OPP say Ontario has hit a 10-year low in boating fatalities, with most boating deaths due to not wearing a life-jacket.
In fact, not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or life-jacket continues to be a contributing factor in the overwhelming majority of boating deaths each year.
OPP Const. Troy Carlson says, ""80 to 90 per cent of those deaths are as a result of somebody not wearing a life-jacket or not wearing a PFD."
In 2014, 20 people died in boating incidents on OPP-patrolled waterways, which is the lowest number of marine fatalities the OPP has seen in the last 10 years.
Police say they are pleased to see this general downward trend but they are issuing an important reminder that wearing a lifejacket significantly increases survivability should a mishap occur.
In the last five years:
- 2014: 20 boating deaths, 17 of them attributed to not wearing a PFD or lifejacket.
- 2013: 23 boating deaths, 20 of them attributed to not wearing a PFD or lifejacket.
- 2012: 22 boating deaths, 18 of them attributed to not wearing a PFD or lifejacket.
- 2011: 22 boating deaths, 19 of them attributed to not wearing a PFD or lifejacket.
- 2010: 28 boating deaths, 22 of them attributed to not wearing a PFD or lifejacket.
The OPP is reminding boaters that most lakes and rivers, especially those in Northern Ontario are still very cold and the threat of cold water immersion makes the coming long weekend a particularly important time to be prepared and wear that PFD or lifejacket.
Boats can sink in just a few minutes, and Carlson adds, "If you're unconscious and you go overboard often times - or even if you're conscious when you go overboard - we get a reflex action of taking in a deep breath when you're exposed to that cold water. Often times that's the last breath because they inhale water and there's nothing to keep them afloat."
Safe Boating Week kicks off on Saturday, and OPP and the Canadian Safe Boating Council are reminding boaters to do their part to stay safe.
