As warmer weather sets in, kayakers remind people of water safety tips

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A examine by the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers discovered grownup males make up an amazing majority of drownings.

The examine cites “overconfidence” as the first motive, however the Military Corps of Engineers says water security is vital irrespective of who you might be – as a result of wherever there’s a physique of water, there’s a danger.

Now as boating and kayaking choose up with the summer season season close to, a neighborhood kayak firm says it’s essential to take steps to remain secure.

Jeremy McRae has been kayaking for greater than a decade, and he stated over the previous couple of years, extra individuals appear keen on hitting the water.

“It’s taken off fairly good within the final six years, however particularly the final two to 3 years. Particularly with COVID I imply kayaking simply took off on this space,” he stated.

However much less expertise comes with extra danger.

“It brings a number of new people who have by no means grown up doing this, in order that they’re not very educated within the water they don’t know, you realize about boats. They don’t know the principles, the rules on the market,” McRae stated. “They don’t know security.”

He advises first-timers to by no means go alone, however he says irrespective of the ability degree there may be one essential step, bringing a whistle and a life jacket.

”You at all times wish to have a life vest on, it doesn’t matter how snug you might be at swimming,” McRae stated. “When you haven’t achieved it lots be sure you put a life vest on.”

And that rule applies to any water exercise at any physique of water, as David Quebedeaux, a ranger with the Military Corps of Engineers stated there’s at all times a danger for drowning.

”Drownings can occur wherever,” Quebedeaux, stated. “May occur in a lake, a river, a pool, might occur in a ditch beside your own home.”

Final 12 months, there have been 62 drownings within the state of Georgia. Eight of them occurring at Military Corps of Engineer parks, with a majority being at Thurmond Lake at Clark’s Hill. And it might be largely resulting from individuals difficult themselves to swim out to the buoys.

“If they will, they really feel form of good about themselves, however if you happen to can’t you drown, and if you happen to’re not able to swim, you’re not able to survive. Ensure you know methods to swim, be sure you have a life jacket on,” Quebedeaux stated.

Whether or not it’s swimming, boating, or kayaking being secure is crucial. McRae says accidents are uncommon, however because the age-old saying goes: it’s higher to be secure, than sorry.

“You need to have that life jacket all the way in which on, it’s all about preserving your nostril and your mouth above the floor of the water,” Quebedeaux stated.

“On the finish of the day, we do that as a result of we find it irresistible and we don’t need anyone damage on our boats,” McRae stated.

McRae stated there are different steps kayakers can do to remain secure.

Each McCrea and Quebedeaux stated there are different steps to take secure this summer season when out on the water.

Along with carrying a life vest, McRae stated kayakers ought to at all times preserve a whistle and cellular phone shut by. Additionally, keep away from excessive site visitors boat areas, at all times hit waves at an angle, preserve your physique straight up and down, keep near the sting of the water, keep away from areas referred to as strainers which are jammed with logs and bushes, don’t drink and kayak, and keep away from chasing after gear and wildlife.

Quebedeaux stated to at all times put on a life jacket, deliver loads of non-alcoholic drinks to drink, and don’t attempt to swim out to buoys, particularly not with no life jacket.

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