July 1 to 9 marks National Fishing Week in Canada. The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Lifesaving Society BC &Yukon Branch want to remind anglers that wearing your lifejacket is even more important than wearing your 鈥榣ucky fishing hat.鈥橞ut both have to be worn to be effective.
According to the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the Lifesaving Society, 80 percent of recreational boaters who drown each year in Canada were not wearing a lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
鈥淥ur 2017 drowning report shows that only 13 per cent were wearing a lifejacket or PFD at the time they were unexpectedly thrown into the water,鈥� says Dale Miller, executive director of the Lifesaving Society. 鈥淎nd over one-third of boating incidents were caused by falling or being thrown overboard with another one-third from a boat capsizing.鈥�
Many boaters who don鈥檛 wear lifejackets or PFDs believe since they are good swimmers, having them onboard and within easy reach is good enough. But a lifejacket stored under a seat or up in the bow will be of no help when the unexpected happens, like falling overboard while trying to net the catch.
鈥淣ational surveys show more than half the recreational boats sold in Canada are used for fishing on a regular basis,鈥� says John Gullick, chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council. 鈥淒uring National Fishing Week, the Canadian Safe Boating Council would like to remind all anglers not only to have their lifejacket onboard their boat, but to wear it as if their life depended on it - because it just might.鈥�
Many of today鈥檚 anglers are delighted with lifejackets designed especially to suit their needs. They鈥檙e rugged, allow for freedom of movement to cast and are constructed with lots of pockets for gear. When choosing their lifejacket, anglers should also check the label to make sure it is Transport Canada approved, is the correct size and fits snugly.
鈥淔ishing is a part of our Canadian fabric and an activity that鈥檚 easy to get hooked on,鈥� says Gullick. 鈥淭he CSBC is asking those who fish to 鈥楪et Hooked on Lifejackets鈥� too.鈥�
