Life-jackets at top of safe-boating list

The number of Manitobans who have drowned in boating accidents has increased over the last five years, and the majority were not wearing life-jackets, says Christopher Love, Water Smart and safety management co-ordinator with the Lifesaving Society Manitoba.

“For our Manitoba 2024 drowning report in the last five-year period that we have statistics for, which is 2017 to 2021, 74 per cent of boating fatalities were not wearing life-jackets at the time of the incident taking place,” said Love.

“And we can’t say with 100 per cent certainty, but we know that the number of fatalities would go down if people were wearing life-jackets,” he said.

Using data on water-related fatalities from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for Manitoba, the drowning report shows that more men than women drown — 80 per cent compared to 20 per cent.

In 2019 there were 19 Manitobans who lost their lives due to drowning. In 2020, the number rose to 24, while 25 people drowned the following year, according to the report.

The highest percentage of deaths are related to power boats at 63 per cent, with canoe-related drownings accounting for 25 per cent. Other water-related fatalities involved swimming, playing near water, and fishing.

In the age group between 35 and 64 years old, 82 per cent who drowned were not wearing a life-jacket, and of those 65 and older, none were wearing them.

For young adults between 15 and 34, not wearing a life-jacket was listed as the second-highest cause of death. The main cause is drinking-related drownings, which accounted for 57 per cent of deaths, something that Love said is concerning.

“In our drowning report, 42 per cent of all boating fatalities involved an intoxicant — alcohol,” said Love.

“And that is above the national average. The national average is usually around 30 to 35 per cent of cases. And so, unfortunately, Manitoba punches above its weight in that category, which is not something that we are very happy with. And it’s easily changeable,” he said.

RCMP Sgt. David Portelance agreed that drinking and boating do not mix. And much like the rules of the road, he said, no one — not even passengers — should be drinking while boating.

“It is against the law,” said Portelance. “Under provincial legislation and the Liquor Control Act, we cannot have open liquor in a vessel, it’s exactly the same as in a motor vehicle.

“And if the operator is intoxicated, then we’re going towards a criminal investigation. If the person has a valid driver’s licence and he’s operating a vessel impaired by alcohol, he could lose his vehicle driver’s licence,” said Portelance, who is the province’s marine advisor.

Portelance operates one of the 57 water vessels that are located throughout the province for the RCMP’s D Division, which is headquartered in Winnipeg and covers all of Manitoba.

The boat Portelance uses is an eight-metre-long rigid-hull inflatable vessel that he says is called a rib, adding it can be deployed quickly for search and rescue or regular patrols.

One of the top complaints Portelance said he receives is about how others are driving their boats.

“Some people are just operating dangerously and too fast, which at the end of the day is making the waterways a bit more dangerous for everybody.”

The second issue he encounters is boats that don’t have enough life-jackets. If someone is not wearing a life-jacket, it is not against the law. But there must be one for every person on board.

“I always say to the people that we stop on a regular basis, ‘Do you have all your safety equipment?’ And most people have it, but they don’t know where it is on the boat, and then they need to look for it,” said Portelance.

“And personally, I wish it would be law that you have to wear it, because a life-jacket is completely useless if it’s on the boat and you fall off, because sadly, it doesn’t take long for someone to go under the water.”

Manitoba’s lakes are considered cold waters, which means their temperature is under 25 degrees Celsius, said Love.

And if someone suddenly and unexpectedly falls into a body of cold water and is not wearing a life-jacket, it can be deadly, he said.

“Falling into the water even in the middle of summer, you’re going to experience what is called cold shock,” Love said.

“You’re going to gasp or you’re going to hyperventilate, and that can last anywhere from one to three or four minutes, depending on the person and depending on the water temperature,” he said.

“If you’re wearing your life-jacket, you’re floating above the surface while you’re gasping for breath. If you’re not, and you fell in unexpectedly, your face could be in the water or below the surface.

“And with your face below water, you suck that back, and it’s going right into your lungs and now you are drowning instantly. That’s where a tragedy happens,” Love said.

The highest number of deaths by drowning (73 per cent) occur between May and September.

That’s why Lifesaving Society Manitoba and other groups — the RCMP, the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the Manitoba Coalition for Safer Waters — are recognizing National Safe Boating Awareness Week, with five key points for staying safe and alive on the water this summer.

No. 1 is to wear a life-jacket, followed by boating only when you’re sober. No. 3 is to know and prepare your boat with the required safety equipment. No. 4 is to take a boating course. And the fifth and final key safety point reminds boaters to be aware of the dangers of cold water.

Portelance said while the water and boating are to be enjoyed, people need to remember they can be dangerous.

“We need to respect the water. So, it’s extremely important to play safe. The water is extremely pleasant and fun, but when not treated properly, it can unfortunately take life away.”

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