Calling for help encouraged over attempted water rescue

“I consider myself a good swimmer, but I could be put in a situation where I could be harmed by the victim or water conditions,” she said. “So if [the water] is getting wavy or white caps develop, I might consider waiting for the rescue team as well.”

Rushton added that it’s important to know your limitations.

“Have some safety equipment if you’re not a good swimmer,” she said. “Put on a life jacket before you go in and let your friends know that you will stay closer to shallow water.”

Water incidents rare, but safety important

Safety tips for swimmers are equally important for those on boats. Cst. Mark Burnett of the Battlefords RCMP detachment said they typically deal with two or three incidents a summer between the local rivers and lakes. Their deployment tends to be related to isolated boaters or people that were supposed to have made it back to shore being reported missing.

“It’s usually a result of the boat is broken down or (because of the) weather conditions,” Burnett said.

In addition to safety equipment, Burnett recommended people don’t go boating or swimming alone, in order to reduce the chances of being in distress when something goes wrong.

“If you can have that second person in the boat, that’s a huge bonus,” he said.

Burnett also said it’s important to check that boats are serviced, check for weather warnings and avoid alcohol. According to the Lifesaving Society’s 2016 report, alcohol is involved in 39 per cent of all boating related fatalities.

“People get hot and like to have drinks, but boating and alcohol do not mix one bit,” he said.

Cst. Mark Burnett said bodies of water that may not seem too big are still quite deep and can be dangerous when conditions aren’t ideal. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

North Battleford Fire Department Chief Lindsay Holm said the Lifesaving Society’s statement is a prudent one, as people often get complacent around water. He also agreed that the best thing the public can do is to notify rescue services.

“A lot of people have great intentions of trying to help somebody out,” Holm said. “However, if they aren’t a strong swimmer or the water conditions are bit a rough, they can get themselves into trouble very quickly. That compounds issues for us, as we’re now dealing with two people in distress, instead of just one.”

Holm said he hasn’t seen any issues in the municipality this year, which he’s happy to see. However, he said it’s important that people still take precautions.

“People are really going to enjoy themselves when they’re around lakes and rivers,” he said. “It’s just about being prepared for being out there and making sure they are wearing life jackets while in a boat and not just having them nearby.”

That last point is one that Holm said is an annual issue with people out at the lake or river; wear the life jacket.

“When something goes wrong, it’s usually because they were in a boat with a life jacket, but they weren’t wearing it,” he said.

—

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by battlefordsNOW Staff

Calling for help encouraged over attempted water rescue

What's Trending