TYH: There’s high water this year so be extra careful before heading out to a lake or river

Jul 21, 2020 | 8:00 AM

We are lucky enough to live near many lakes and rivers here in northern B.C., and that means that when the weather warms up, many of us are headed there.

And while we are lucky to live near these gorgeous bodies of water, that means we have the responsibility to learn how to be safe at them. This week, we spoke with Lauren Phillips, Swift Water Team Leader for PG Search and Rescue and she gave us some tips on how to be water safe this summer season.

“People need to be really cautious around any moving water this year, even more than usual. Even though it’s mid-July and it’s going to get warm our water bodies are flowing fast and high.”–Lauren Phillips, Swift Water Team Leader for PG Search and Rescue

No matter where you are, whether it’s a lake or river Philips says that the basic rules of water safety remain the same and suggests checking out AdventureSmart to discover how you should be preparing for your water adventure-filled weekend.

Phillips says that it is important to wear a life jacket or PFD, “make sure it actually fits you,” she added.

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“Having it near you is not good enough, by the time you fall in a lake or river and try to put it on then it doesn’t work.”–Lauren Phillips, Swift Water Team Leader for PG Search and Rescue

Another thing to remember is to not drink and boat “be really cautious about the choices you are making in and near water because when things go badly in a river or lake situation they go real bad and they go real bad real fast,” said Phillips.

And while the weather might be warming as we get further into summer it doesn’t mean the risk of hypothermia disappears. “Year-round in Canada Hypothermia is a factor. So even on a nice, beautiful 25 or 20-degree day if you spend any amount of time in the water or wind comes up, different factors we all have the possibility of becoming hypothermic,” mentioned Phillips. According to the Provincial Health Services Authority of B.C., in recent years the province has had an average of 74 drownings a year, with the greatest number of drowning deaths occurring in males in natural water and water transport.

by Veronica Beltran

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TYH: There’s high water this year so be extra careful before heading out to a lake or river

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