With summer finally here, some of you will certainly be heading out on a boat. Whether you’re in a motorized boat or a canoe, one universal rule applies to all boaters: wearing a lifejacket or a personal flotation device (PFD) can save your life.
But if that simple argument isn’t enough to convince you, here are 5 other reasons:
1- Wearing a lifejacket or a PFD can prevent 90% of boating-related drownings.
2- It reduces the initial impact when you first fall in the water (shock from the cold water on your muscles), which can help prevent hypothermia, which is not a pleasant experience.
If you are alone and are wearing a Canadian-approved personal flotation device (PFD), slow down body heat loss through the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP) (cross your arms tightly against your chest and draw your knees up). This position can increase your survival time by 50%.
3- Every year, an average of 161 Canadians drown while boating. Of these, 88% were not wearing a lifejacket or did not have it properly secured.
Make sure you secure your lifejacket properly, even if it ruins your tan!
4- Wearing a lifejacket or a PFD can have a ripple effect.
By setting the example, you can help make sure that all passengers on your boat have properly secured their lifejackets or PFDs. Simply having the lifejackets on board is not enough; everyone on board must wear a life vest and have it properly secured at all times.
5- The Prime Minister wears one, too!
Justin Trudeau celebrated World Environment Day by going kayaking, and he made sure to wear a PFD, which he did with style.
Source: Justin Trudeau’s Facebook Page
But if that simple argument isn’t enough to convince you, here are 5 other reasons:
1- Wearing a lifejacket or a PFD can prevent 90% of boating-related drownings.
2- It reduces the initial impact when you first fall in the water (shock from the cold water on your muscles), which can help prevent hypothermia, which is not a pleasant experience.
If you are alone and are wearing a Canadian-approved personal flotation device (PFD), slow down body heat loss through the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP) (cross your arms tightly against your chest and draw your knees up). This position can increase your survival time by 50%.
3- Every year, an average of 161 Canadians drown while boating. Of these, 88% were not wearing a lifejacket or did not have it properly secured.
Make sure you secure your lifejacket properly, even if it ruins your tan!
4- Wearing a lifejacket or a PFD can have a ripple effect.
By setting the example, you can help make sure that all passengers on your boat have properly secured their lifejackets or PFDs. Simply having the lifejackets on board is not enough; everyone on board must wear a life vest and have it properly secured at all times.
5- The Prime Minister wears one, too!Justin Trudeau celebrated World Environment Day by going kayaking, and he made sure to wear a PFD, which he did with style.
Source: Justin Trudeau’s Facebook Page
