Don’t Forget Your Life Jacket

Safe Boating Week Promotes Water Safety Awareness

As summer returns to the Upper Midwest, the region’s picturesque lakes and rivers become popular destinations for recreation. With boating season underway, Safe Boating Week, recognized May 17–23, serves as a timely reminder of the importance of safety on the water.

 

“Your biggest piece of safety equipment on a boat is your life jacket," emphasizes Lt. Darren Kuhn, Boating Law Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

 

Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin law require a wearable life jacket for every person on board, and larger boats must also carry throwable flotation devices. Despite this longstanding regulation, Lt. Kuhn notes that the absence of life jackets remains one of the most common violations among boaters.

 

“Eighty percent of boating fatalities nationwide are a result of drowning, making it the number one cause of death in boating accidents,” he cautions. “When worn, they’re proven to work,” he adds, urging boaters to wear life jackets consistently.

 

Jennifer Doering, Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant with Aspirus Health, echoes Lt. Kuhn’s message. “It’s important that we all have life jackets available, not just sitting nearby, but ready to use and preferably already on.”

 

Doering also encourages boaters and swimmers to take proactive safety measures, including:

 

• Supervising children closely while swimming, as they can slip under the water quickly
• Avoiding alcohol during boating or swimming activities
• Checking water depth before jumping or diving

 

“Recent changes in weather mean some of the lakes aren’t quite as deep as they were previously. It’s important to remember to check, especially before diving headfirst,” adds Doering, who warns of potential injuries such as neck fractures or head trauma.

 

Additional precautions recommended by Lt. Kuhn include:

 

• Being extra cautious during busy weekends and periods of high boat traffic
• Reducing speed in unfamiliar areas or when less experienced
• Avoiding night boating due to reduced visibility and higher collision risks
• Monitoring the weather and staying off the water during storms
• Prohibiting bow riding (sitting on the front of the boat with feet dangling) while the motor is running, as this can lead to serious propeller injuries
• Avoiding alcohol, particularly when taking prescription medications

 

“The other thing about alcohol is that people don’t realize how it affects people differently on the boat,” Lt. Kuhn explains. “Being out in the sun, the wave action, generally not eating a lot while out on the water—all that plays a part in how fast alcohol affects the body.”

 

Both Doering and Lt. Kuhn stress the value of preparation and education. Lt. Kuhn encourages all boaters to complete safety courses and become familiar with basic boating regulations. Doering adds that having a plan in place, such as choosing a designated boat operator, can make all the difference.

 

“The days are long, so it's a good time to go out and enjoy it,” says Doering. “But make sure that you leave yourself enough time to get where you need to go so you're not going too fast. Talk about who is going to be the designated boat driver when enjoying alcohol. Go out and have a great time in our Midwest summers but be safe out there.”

 

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