Every time another drowning is reported, it hits home. The scary possibility of drowning affects all water-goers, no matter their age, profession, or expertise on the water.
On Sunday, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) reported that a total of 73 drownings have happened at the Great Lakes this year, totaling 696 since 2010.
Although it is impossible to prepare for every situation, there are a few simple things you can do to protect yourself and your family on the Great Lakes.
Here are the top three:
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Keep your life jacket on
In 2017, the U.S. Coastguard reported that 84.5 percent of all recreational boating drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket and that two thirds of drowning victims were good swimmers. When accident strikes, you want to be prepared, and wearing a life jacket ensures that you are. Wearing a lifejacket is the easiest and most efficient way to protect yourself and those you love (including the furry ones). If you’re unsure of which life jacket is right for you, the Safe Boating Campaign has a quiz on their website that can help you decide which life jacket meets your needs. Find the quiz here.
