Launch of 23rd boating safety campaign - In 60% of drowning cases, wearing a PFD could have saved a life

MONTREAL, May 19, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Boating Council today launched its 23rd boating safety campaign. In recent years, boating has grown in popularity in Quebec, and with recreational boating accounting for nearly a quarter of deaths involving water, it continues to be important to raise public awareness of boating safety rules.

"We're fortunate to have magnificent waterways in Quebec, so it's only natural to see a surge in the popularity of boating, except we often forget that water can be dangerous and that not respecting a few simple safety rules can have tragic consequences," explains Yves Paquette, president of the Quebec Boating Council. "Last year, only one of the 20 drowning victims was wearing a personal flotation device properly; in more than 60% of the cases, wearing a PFD might have saved the boater's life. Unfortunately, too many people wrongly believe that they will be able to put their PFD on if they fall into the water or that their experience will save them."

A few compelling statistics from 2011

• Seven of the 20 drowning victims in 2011 had a PFD on board with them, but were not wearing it;
• 45% were experienced boaters;
• All the drowning victims were men;
• 50% of the victims were in a canoe or a kayak.

Thousands of incidents every year

In addition to drownings, there are thousands of accidents involving pleasure craft every year. The Canadian Coast Guard reports more than 1,000 incidents annually on the St. Lawrence River alone.

With water sports gaining in popularity every year, Quebec has the largest number of pleasure boaters in Canada. Although they are not associated with any drownings, there are still numerous accidents directly related to boating.

Before practicing a new sport, the Quebec Boating Council recommends that people take a basic course to learn about the different safety rules in order to take full advantage of the activity and reduce the risk of accident.

The CQN's five recommendations

With the arrival of boating season, the Quebec Boating Council wishes to remind the public of basic boating safety rules:

• Wear a personal flotation device
• Do not drink alcohol while boating
• Take a boating course
• Be prepared - both you and your boat
• Be aware of the dangers of immersion in cold water.

Following these five simple rules could save your life or that of a loved one.

About the Quebec Boating Council

Since 1989, the Quebec Boating Council has been working to raise public awareness of pleasure boating safety. Its members include most organizations active in the area of boating safety, including Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Quebec), the Service de Police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM), Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, the Canadian Safe Boating Council, the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, the Lifesaving Society, the Association Maritime du Québec, Forensic & Nautical Consultants of Canada Inc. and the Sogerive marina.

The Quebec Boating Council 2012 campaign is made possible by financial support from the Transport Canada Boating Safety Class Contribution Program.

Source:
Quebec Boating Council

Information: 
Jade St-Jean
Morin Relations Publiques
514-289-8688, ext. 235
Cell: 514-716-7530
[email protected]