Hooked On Lifejackets campaign first week of July

July first to ninth is National Fishing Week in Canada and during this week the Canadian Safe Boating Council is running their Hooked On Lifejackets Campaign.

This initiative will focus on promoting the most basic of safe boating behaviours and one that has the greatest potential to save lives, wearing a lifejacket. The purpose of this week is to encourage Canadians to wear a personal floatation device while boating.

Fishing is one of Canada’s favourite pastimes for the whole family. Over 50 per cent of every boat sold in Canada has identified fishing as the main purpose for the boat.

With this popularity, it only stands to reason that boating-related fatalities among recreational anglers constitute a significant portion of the average 130 drownings recorded each year.

Unfortunately those who fish often don’t consider themselves as boaters and, as such, boating and boating safety often take second place to the primary purpose of being on the water….to fish. This mindset also makes those who fish a difficult audience to reach with boating safety messages.

The Hooked on Lifejacket initiative will continue to expand into the fishing seasons and the CSBC welcomes feedback, input and involvement in shaping this. You can contact them here.

You are required by law to have a lifejacket or a personal flotation device on board for each person on a watercraft. This includes human-powered crafts.

A lifejacket is your best defence against cold-water shock. Research shows that unexpected immersion in cold water is a serious risk to life if a boater is not wearing a flotation device. This is true despite the boater's experience, closeness to shore, and even swimming ability.

A sudden fall into cold water can seriously affect breathing, nerves, and muscle strength. A lifejacket gives you thermal protection as well as keeping you buoyant.

Most recreational boaters who die on the water each year in Canada are not wearing flotation devices, or are not wearing them properly.

"It's important to understand that we love being out on the water just as much as anybody else," said Ian Gilson, Director for the Canadian Safe Boating Council. "Just enjoy it safely and wear your lifejacket. Take care of it and it'll take care of you."