On May 10, two adults and two children entered the water in the Muskoka River after their canoe capsized. Ontario Provincial Police with the Bracebridge detachment responded to the scene near Holditch Street in Bracebridge, Ont. around 11:20 a.m.
The children, aged nine and ten, were both wearing life jackets. All four individuals made it to shore safely, where they were assessed by paramedics. One adult was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening treatment.
“Although they did make it to shore, it was a pretty stressful situation for all four people,” says Samantha Bigley, a provincial constable with the Bracebridge OPP.
This is the second water incident in Muskoka in two weeks. On April 28, emergency responders recovered the body of a kayaker who drowned in Lake Muskoka. Bigley says that the individual was not wearing a life jacket.
While this time of year has less boat traffic, making it generally safer for non-motorized vessels like kayaks and canoes to paddle, the water can still be dangerous.
“Although it’s starting to feel like summer is coming, the water is still very cold,” she says. “If even a good swimmer finds themself overboard, the effects of that cold water can make all the difference when it comes to surviving that situation.”
Bigley says that visitors to the area or inexperienced paddlers can be particularly susceptible to these conditions.
But there are ways to prevent accidents like this. Ahead of safe boating awareness week, which takes place from May 18 to 24, Bigley is sharing the OPP’s tips for staying safe on the water.
Five things you should do before taking a boat out on the water
1. Have the proper safety equipment on board
“Safety equipment is our number one concern,” says Bigley.
The type of equipment required depends on the type of vessel you’re using, but you must have access to a life jacket. Bigley stresses the importance of ensuring that the life jackets actually fit the people on board, particularly children.
Although adult life jackets may look like they fit well, children can slip out of the jacket once in the water.
2. Get your boat operator card
Although many rental companies don’t require renters to have a boat operator card, Bigley suggests that renters go through the training program online or in-person. While you’ll be informed of a safety checklist, she says that most rental companies won’t cover everything you should know such as rules about right of way in waterways.
“It’s a lot of information to take in when you’re standing at the end of a dock renting a boat,” she says.
3. Make a plan and share it with someone
Before you head out to the water, you should always make a plan and share it with someone on shore. Bigley recommends sharing your general location and how long you expect to be out on the water. In the event of an accident, this will give emergency officials a better idea of where to look.
4. Have a communication device on board
In tandem with creating a plan, Bigley says it’s important to have a communication device on board, such as a cell phone, in case you need to call for help.
5. Drive sober
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, if you are found operating a motorized vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will be charged with the same impaired driving offense that you would if you were driving a car under the influence. “Make sure you’re in a good position to be driving,” Bigley says.
The public can expect to see a lot of police presence on the water this season, she says. They will be encouraging safe boating and enforcement where necessary.
“Take the time to make sure that you’re educated, and put yourself in the best possible position to have a safe day out on the water,” she says.
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