| OSMB News |
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| Thursday, July 27, 2006 |
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River Drownings Escalate –Go Informed and Prepared
For Immediate Release
Drowning seems to be at the top of the bell curve in recent weeks due to the heat wave and lack of understanding by water recreationists. Since the first week of June, 26 people have drowned on Oregon waterways, primarily in rivers. Some of the drownings involved non-motorized watercraft, such as rafts, kayaks, and other types of inflatables. This year, 11 people have died in boating accidents, seven from non-motorized boats, and all but two were not wearing life jackets.
“The water can be so inviting,” says Ashley Massey, Public Affairs Specialist for the Oregon State Marine Board. “Especially on hot days, but caution needs to be exercised.”
The Oregon State Marine Board maintains statistics on boating fatalities and in the last 10 years, over one-third of the fatalities involve non-motorized watercrafts. “Many of these watercraft easily capsize and you could find yourself in cold water and in trouble, quickly,” Massey adds.
Massey offers the following tips for anyone recreating on rivers:
- Wear a properly fitting life jacket. Make sure you understand how the life jacket will perform in the type of water you are in and make sure it’s in good, serviceable condition.
- Know the waterway. Rivers are dynamic in nature and change often, so scope out the river before you enter it. Know where there are snags, rocks, deep pools and how the current flows. A little research about the river can go a long way in preventing an accident from happening.
- Keep a proper lookout. Because rivers are dynamic, the banks are continually changing and so is the depth. Floating down a river can be very relaxing but it’s important to stay alert. For many, they don’t realize they’re in trouble until they’re literally, “going through the rapids.”
For more information about boating and water safety, check the Marine Board website at www.boatoregon.com.
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