Be wise when enjoying the water this summer | Editorial

Published 8:50 pm Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Last weekend’s warm, sunny weather was a reminder that summer is almost here. On an island surrounded by water, warm temperatures mean time to get out and enjoy the Puget Sound. Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming are all in order for many families. As the fun begins, don’t forget that the water can be more dangerous than you might think, and a fun day can quickly turn deadly.

Last year, 15 people died in preventable drowning incidents in King County alone, and nine of them occurred in open water such as the Puget Sound. Eight of the deaths could have been prevented had the victim worn a lifejacket, and half of the deaths involved alcohol or drug use.

Simple steps can ensure safety on the water. For instance, be sure anyone going out on the water knows how to swim. And make wearing lifejackets when boating a habit for the whole family, not just kids. Not only could a lifejacket save an adult’s life, but a recent study by the Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center found that kids and teens are more likely to wear a lifejacket if adults around them are wearing them as well. Still, the Seattle-based study found that few adults wear life jackets on boats. Nationwide, about 85 percent of recreational boating-related drowning victims in 2012 did not wear a life jacket.

Also take boating under the influence seriously. If a day on the water involves drinking, designate someone to drive the boat just like you would someone to drive home from a bar. And remember that swimming under the influence can also lead to drowning.

Set clear rules for children who swim, and keep an eye on them. Most drownings happen during a brief lapse in supervision, when a parent becomes distracted or involved in another activity. And while drownings in movies usually involve flailing and screaming, that’s not the case in real life, where people usually slip under the water quietly.

Finally, those venturing far from the shore in a small craft like a kayak, canoe or paddleboard should know the conditions and the forecast before they leave and should wear a wetsuit. Already this year, kayakers out for a paddle off the Olympic Peninsula were killed when they were caught in a sudden storm.

We’re lucky to live on an island in the sound, where recreation on the water can take place in our own backyard. Have fun this summer, but be wise and think ahead to prevent accidents.