Boating Safety

Cold Water Survival

As the weather warms up, Canadian waters are still cold. The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) has designated May 20-26 Safe Boaters Week and a key message at this time of year is being cold-water safe.  More than 60% of boaters who drowned did so in water less than 10C, and 43% were less than two metres from shore.

The first thing that happens when falling into cold water is the gasp reflex, it’s called the cold shock response.  When the cold receptors in your skin are stimulated suddenly it causes an involuntary gasp and, for about a minute after that, then hyperventilation and rapid breathing.  Your blood vessels automatically constrict in the cold to protect your brain and organs from a rush of cold blood.  The sudden restriction in flow means that you must work much harder to get oxygen into your lungs, and you immediately feel like you can’t breathe.  Testing by the CSBC determined that you have one minute to get your breathing under control, 10 minutes before the muscles in your extremities begin to lose function and an hour before hypothermia sets in and you lose consciousness.

How to increase your chances of survival in cold water.

• Wear a life jacket.
• Try to remain calm and get control of your breathing. Take breaths that last as long as 12 seconds. Breathe in through your nose slowly for 5 seconds; hold for 3 seconds; breathe out through pursed lips for 7 seconds.  Doing this will help your body balance its carbon dioxide levels again and should prevent you from further hyperventilating.
• Hold onto something or stay as still as possible until your breathing settles down.
• Focus on floating with your head above water until the cold shock response abates.
• Keep your clothes on to help retain heat, including a hat if possible. Clothing can help trap air and increase your ability to float for longer periods of time.  Even shoes or boots can help insulate your feet from losing heat.
• Assume the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening) Position (much like the fetal position) as above to conserve heat and facilitate floating.
• Keep movement to a minimum and stay calm.
• If possible, climb onto something to get as far out of the water as you can to conserve heat.
• Huddle with others, if possible, to conserve heat.

Most important – wear a life jacket!

Engine Cut-off Switches

Transport Canada has opened public consultations on installing and using engine cut-off switches on certain recreational vessels. The consultation period closes May 19th and the public is invited to share their views on potential new regulations.  More information on how to do that can be found at:  letstalktransportation.ca

An engine cut-off switch stops the propulsion system when the operator is unexpectedly ejected from the vessel.  The safety feature protects operators from the spinning propeller and stops the vessel from moving through the water uncontrolled.  The switches are usually “linked” to the operator via a mechanical lanyard or a wireless connection.

Currently, cut-off switches are only required on personal watercraft in Canada.  The U.S. has required them to be installed on recreational vessels less than 26 feet (8 metres) since 2019, and in 2021 made it mandatory for boat operators to link themselves to their boat’s cut-off switch.

Canada is considering similar legislation to the U.S., and now is the time to make Transport Canada aware of your views.

No Wake Signs

Are you interested in purchasing a No Wake sign?  The signs are designed to be used where boats should have their bows down and putting out no wake, which is 30 metres from shore, swimmers, other boats or docks.

Safe Quiet Lakes is selling 24”x 24” signs that are sturdy yet light and can be easily affixed to a dock or post.  They cost $20 and can be ordered by emailing:   outreach@safequiet.ca.