(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Water Safety

Parkland Ambulance urges caution on and around water over long weekend

Jul 1, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Many people will take advantage of the long weekend to get out on the lake, whether on a boat or a kayak. Parkland Ambulance is asking for people to be cautious no matter how they get out on the lake, however, and reminding them of a few simple safety tips.

“We want to remind folks, first and foremost, any time you’re around the water mums and dads, grandmas and grandpas, older brothers and sisters, keep an eye on the younger ones,” said Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs with Parkland Ambulance. “The curiosity of a kid to go to the water’s edge while mom and dad (are distracted) is pretty tempting.”

According to Karasiuk, tragedies are relatively rare, but have happened in the past. Then too, there are plenty of moments that don’t result in tragedy but still give parents a scare.

“A family is unpacking at the lake, unloading stuff from the vehicle into the boat, it’s hot and the kids are out exploring… maybe one of them walks to the end of the dock and slips off,” said Karasiuk. “That can happen. If that happens, someone is hopefully there to scoop them out of the water.”

Water safety applies at the lake, but Karasiuk wanted to point out that’s not the only place it applies either. Backyard pools are just as appealing when it’s hot outside, and kids need just as much supervision there.

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“Even a small pool that has only a couple of feet of water can prove to be tragic,” Karasiuk said.

While on the lake, Karasiuk stressed the importance of wearing a lifejacket regardless of what kind of watercraft you’re on.

“It’s not a seat cushion,” he said. “If you’re sitting on it in your fishing boat and you get a big wave, and you fall over and everybody else is falling on top of you as well as the cooler and everything else in the boat, and you get knocked out, how are you going to right yourself and stay afloat? And if you’re in the middle of a big body of water… you’re not necessarily going to make it by swimming to shore.”

Karasiuk added that “alcohol and boating don’t mix” and asked people to drink on shore, reminding people that the penalties for operating a boat while impaired are the same as driving or using an ATV while impaired.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP