The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) wants to remind everyone to wear a lifejacket. They are extremely important when out on the water as a safety measure. It is a small step to take to save your life.
Lifejackets have been around in some form for hundreds of years beginning with the use of wood blocks by Norwegian seamen. In 1854, Captain Ward of England created the first cork vest. This design was meant to provide weather protection and buoyancy. Eventually cork gave way to Kapok, a softer material.
Today lifejackets have altered immensely. The idea that they are uncomfortable and look ridiculous is no longer true. There are a variety of styles, sizes, and even colours to choose from all approved for use in Canada. The wide range of vests ensures you can find one for any water event: paddling, sailing, fishing, water sports, and simply riding in a personal water craft.
So, in a world that has made "cool" lifejackets, why don't more people wear them?
CSBC says that 85 percent of children under five wear their lifejackets and that most parents insist they do. By the time these children develop into teenagers, however, only 37 percent will continue to wear a lifejacket and this number drops steadily the older one becomes.
"Across Canada, 80 percent of recreational boaters who drown each and every year were not wearing a lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Most of these drowning occur in small open power boats, accounting for 60 percent of these preventable deaths. A majority of these victims were males between the ages of 19 and 35, out for a day of fishing. An average of 140 unnecessary drownings occur every year." CSBC stated in a press release.
For the most part these drownings happen without warning when a boat will capsize unexpectedly or a person falls overboard. The lifejacket or PFD that is stored under a seat or the bow will not be beneficial to the boaters who thought they were good swimmers. Despite being skilled in the water, what happens if one is knocked unconscious when they fall overboard? They will not be able to swim to safety, no matter how experienced they are.
Another danger comes with boating in Canada, which is a country where we attempt to extend the boating season as long as we can. Putting boats into cold lakes where the ice just broke and waiting for cold fall temperatures before finishing the season. Cold water brings with it the chance of hypothermia, which can happen in water as warm as 20 degrees Celsius.
The shock factor of being immersed in cold water results in a "gasp reflex" where one uncontrollably breathes in, which may carry with it approximately two litres of water according to CSBC based on research by Dr. Michael Tipton. The extra weight carried with this intake of water may cause someone without a lifejacket to sink without resurfacing.
It is therefore extremely important to choose a lifejacket or PFD that is intended for your activity and to actually wear it while on the water. You should always check the label to insure it is approved by Canadian authorities and is the correct size in accordance with your weight.
"If you don't wear it, it won't work." CSBC states.
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