A lot of boaters in and around Orillia and right across the province not wearing lifejackets.
That has the lifesaving society concerned.
At the mid-summer mark, the Lifesaving Society reports that none of the 12 victims of this summer’s boating fatalities were wearing a lifejacket. This continues the trend from 2010 when 22 of 23 boaters who drowned in Ontario (from May 1- September 30) were found not wearing a lifejacket.
Speaking with Sunshine 89.1 news, Barbara Byers says they support a recommendation by Ontario’s Chief Coroner that wearing a life jacket be mandatory for anyone in a boat under 6 meters in length.
Speaking with Sunshine 89.1 news, Society spokesperson Barbara Byers says something has to be done to protect people from themselves.
Most of the fatalities of 2011 could have been prevented if Canadians were aware of the risks and adopted key prevention strategies.
Byers says The Lifesaving Society encourages all Canadians to be prepared for water activities by wearing a lifejacket, keeping their children within arms’ reach and learning to swim.
Interim data collected by the Lifesaving Society from media and internet reports of drownings indicate that 29 Ontarians drowned between May 1 and July 10, 2011.
While the totals are down from the same period in 2010 (38), the Society confirms that the areas of concern remain consistent.
