The Coast Guard says because of the mild winter a lot of people are still kayaking and boating on the water. That’s why it’s warning boaters to remember how cold the water is, even on a warm day. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:
Transcript
The Coast Guard says because of the mild winter a lot of people are still kayaking and boating on the water. That’s why it’s warning boaters to remember how cold the water is even on a warm day. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports.
Even if the temperature reaches into the 60’s, the water is colder, cold enough to cause hypothermia in a couple of minutes. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Adam Wine says people fishing or hunting, or those kayaking or even out on jet-skis and the like should dress properly.
“If you’re going to go out on the water this time of year, you should be wearing a personal flotation device that is basically like a suit. It should be similar to either a dry suit or an exposure suit.”
Chief Wine says the personal flotation device suits are about the same price as thermal gear people buy for skiing and snowmobiling, but a lot more safe.
“You know, the thermal gear will drag you right to the bottom, whereas the exposure suit is going to save your life.”
The Coast Guard says if you find yourself in the water the first concern is simple, get out as fast as possible and get help.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Lester Graham.