Beating Boating's Deadly Duo

You don’t need to be a special agent or highly trained forensic expert to figure out what the most significant contributing factors were in the fatalities of 22 Pennsylvania Boaters last year. You just need to know how to count.

Admittedly, sudden emersion into cold water was a factor in seven of the 22 deaths, and in four, alcohol was an issue.

But the stark facts remains: of the 22 boating-related fatalities on PA waterways in 2011, 19 of the victims— 86%, were not wearing life jackets. Additionally, at least 16 out of 22-- nearly 73%-- had no formal boating safety instruction. In five cases, the level of boat safety instruction was unknown. Only one of the 22 fatal accidents involved a boater who had formal boating safety instruction.

“Boaters are required to have personal flotation devices (PFDs) on board and immediately available for use,” according to Andrew Desko, Environmental Education Specialist for the Southeast Regional PA Fish and Boat Commission.

“The trouble is that people who can swim, or think they can swim, typically choose not to wear them. In the middle of an accident things are happening so fast that they may not be able to get one on in time. Also, once you’re in the water, they’ve very difficult to put on,” said Desko.

“This year, so far, there’s been one boating fatality in Lancaster County in January,” said Ryan C. Walt, Boating and Watercraft Safety Manager for commission, who authored the 2011 PA Boating Accident Analysis report.

In 2011, we had lots of high water. With high water, you get more moving water and more people boating and more accidents. Also, we’re seeing a real increase in the popularity of paddle sports and novice paddlers getting into emergencies that they don’t have the knowledge or experience to cope with,” said Walt.

Unlike power craft and personal watercraft operators, paddle sports enthusiasts are not required by law to have Boating Safety Education certification, so many don’t take the course.

But Desko and the commission are trying to change that. “In our Basic Boating course we take time to cover basic safety for canoes and kayaks, as well as power craft,” said Desko. “No matter what kind of vessel you have, or level of experience, I guarantee you will learn something that could help you make a life-saving decision for you and your crew.”

For more information about scheduled PA Fish and Boat Commission Basic Boating Safety courses go to www.fishandboat.com.

Other sources of boating safety education include the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary http://www.cgaux.org and the American Canoe Association, http://www.americancanoe.org for skills courses for canoe, kayak, raft as well as safety and rescue instruction.