Safety on the water this season is paramount.
With that in mind, North Cowichan has once again put out a full set of loaner life-jackets at Fuller Lake Park in Chemainus.
“Fuller Lake Park is one of our most loved community parks and these loaner life-jackets are available from May to September for anyone that forgets to bring their own life-jacket or is swimming at the park outside lifeguard hours,” noted North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring.
Lifeguards will be on duty at Fuller Lake Park seven days a week, starting June 29 until Aug. 25, from noon to 6 p.m.
May 16 was National Life-jacket Day to encourage and promote the use of lifejackets and Personal Flotation Devices among boaters.
The Canadian Red Cross reports every year an average of 160 Canadians drown while boating. Of these, 87 per cent are not wearing a life-jacket or do not have it properly secured.
A study of long-term trends indicates the use of safety equipment, such as a lifejacket or PFD, would greatly reduce the number of fatalities.
Before swimming or heading out on a boat this summer, it’s paramount people are outfitted with a correctly-sized life-jacket appropriate to the activity - even for the stronger swimmers.
A to-do list includes: ensuring the life-jacket is Canadian-approved; checking the label for the correct size; connecting all straps and zippers; and ensuring the life-jacket is comfortably snug.