By Tanya Cronin

Staying safe while out on the water

Jun 16, 2016 | 4:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — With the official start to summer just days away and the weather once again heating up, people are making their way to the beach to enjoy the sunshine, or jumping in their boats and heading out on the waters of the South Thompson and Shuswap lakes. 

But an influx in traffic and activities on the waterways, can be hazardous. 

Kamloops RCMP and Kamloops Fire Rescue are warning the public of the potential dangers that come with being out on the water, and reminding everyone to be cautious.

When the temperature rises and the sun shines, there’s really nothing like being out on the water. You only have to look around to see local rivers and lakes bustling with activity. 

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“We’ve got tubers, we’ve got swimmers, we’ve got high speed boats we’ve got kayakers, we have to be very cognizant of all the people on the water, keep your eyes peeled,” says Assistant Chief Dan Sutherland of Kamloops Fire Rescue.

As the weekend approaches and the mercury climbs back into the twenties, boaters, water skiiers and swimmers, will all be looking to relax and cool off. But with more people, comes an increased risk for accidents.

“Heading into the summer months absolutely that’s when our peak time is for water rescue, it looks pretty calm out there, but it’s not, I was out the other day and it’s flowing pretty darn quick still and it’s very cold.”

Kamloops Fire Rescue knows first hand the dangers for anyone out on the waterways. Be aware of the current, and swimmers especially are urged to stay within marked boundaries. 

“On a lake or on a river, people have a free rein of where they’re going, so you need to be observant and know where people are going,” says Cpl. Jodi Shelkie of Kamloops RCMP.

RCMP boat patrols are in full swing, and as the weather warms up police will step up their presence, conducting regular checks, everything from alcohol to speeding.

“We’re checking to make sure people operating boats are not drinking, we’re making sure people have their proper safety equipment with them, the proper number of life jackets for people who are in the boat.”
        
For each piece of safety equipment you don’t have on board, it can be a hefty fine. Boaters also need to be able to present their pleasure craft operator card, showing they are licensed to run a vessel.

In some cases, simply not knowing the conditions, can have dire consequences. According to the Canadian Red Cross, about 520 Canadians die in unintentional water-related incidents, a high percentage of those fatalities are young children because of a lack of supervision. It’s a stark warning for parents. 

“Don’t take it for granted they’re going to be safe out there, these currents, especially for the little ones, is really overwhelming so parents keep an eye on those kids for sure,” says Sutherland.