Life Jackets Save Lives
A Guide to Boating Safety
5/22/2024
Jennifer Doering, Aspirus Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
As summer approaches
in the Upper Midwest, the allure of boating draws many to the picturesque lakes
and rivers. However, amidst the excitement, it's crucial to remember the
importance of following safe boating guidelines. Safe Boating Week, observed
May 18 - 24, is a timely reminder to raise awareness about practices that can
make all the difference between a day of enjoyment and potential danger on the
water.
“Your biggest piece
of safety equipment on a boat is your life jacket," emphasizes Lt. Darren
Kuhn, Boating Law Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources (DNR).
The legal mandate in
both Wisconsin
and Michigan
requires boats to carry wearable life jackets for every person on board, with
larger boats also needing throwable devices. Despite this longstanding law, Lt.
Kuhn notes that insufficient life jackets remain a common violation.
“80 percent of
boating fatalities nationwide are a result of drowning, making it the number
one cause of death in boating accidents,” he cautions. “When worn, they’re
proven to work,” he says, urging boaters to wear consistently life jackets
rather than just keeping them on board.
Jennifer
Doering, Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant with Aspirus Health, echoes
Lt. Kuhn's sentiments, adding, “it’s important that we all have life jackets
available, and not only just available, but we have them there and ready and
on, preferably.”
In addition to
wearing a life jacket, Doering recommends the following proactive safety
measures:
- Vigilance around
children while swimming, as they can swiftly slip under the water
- Abstinence from
alcohol during swimming or boating activities
- Awareness of water
depth before jumping or diving.
“Recent changes in
weather mean some of the lakes aren’t quite as deep as they were previously.
It’s important to remember to check, especially before diving headfirst,” adds
Doering, highlighting potential risks such as neck fractures or head injuries.
Additionally, Lt.
Kuhn recommends the following precautions:
- Heightened caution
during periods of increased boat traffic, particularly on holiday weekends
- Reduced speed,
especially in unfamiliar waters or for less experienced boaters
- Avoidance of night
boating due to reduced visibility and higher collision risks
- Monitoring weather
forecasts and refraining from water activities during storms
- Prohibition of bow
riding, or sitting on the front of the boat with feet dangling off, while the
boat's motor is running, a practice that can lead to serious propeller injuries
- Abstinence from
alcohol, especially
when taking prescription medications
“The other thing
about alcohol is that people don’t realize how it affects people differently on
the boat,” explains Lt. Kuhn. “Being out in the sun, the wave action, generally
not eating a lot while out on the water – all that plays a part in how fast alcohol
affects the body.”
Both experts stress
the importance of education and preparation. Lt. Kuhn encourages boaters to
take safety courses and familiarize themselves with boating basics, while
Doering underscores the need for planning, designated drivers, and prioritizing
safety in all water-related activities.
Doering shares the
reminder that “the days are long, so it's a good time to go out and enjoy it.
But make sure that you leave yourself enough time to get where you need to go
so you're not going too fast. Talk about who is going to be the designated boat
driver when enjoying alcohol. Go out and have a great time in our Midwest
summers but be safe out there.”
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