Life jackets always need to be worn
A football player wouldn't take to the field just carrying a helmet.
Nor would a trapshooter toe the line with eye and ear protection tucked in their vest.
So why do so many boaters and anglers hit the water without wearing a personal flotation device?
For most, the answer is probably rooted in a long-standing habit, ignorance of the risks or unrealistic hopes should an emergency arise.
What's not at all in doubt is the wisdom of donning a life jacket.
Year after year, statistics in Wisconsin and across the nation show most victims of fatal boating accidents were not wearing a PFD.
So far this year in Wisconsin, 19 people have died in boating accidents, according to the Department of Natural Resource. Sixteen of the deaths were by drowning, and 14 of those people were not wearing life jackets. In addition, one person's life jacket was incorrectly secured.
"There is no single more important thing you can do to improve your odds of safe boating than wear a life jacket," said Jason Roberts, DNR recreation warden based in Waukesha. "We try to get that message out as often as possible because it can really save lives."
This year it might save more than usual.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, participation has increased in many forms of outdoor recreation in Wisconsin in 2020.
Through mid-August, the DNR reported spikes in use of state properties and license sales. For example, 73% of campsites were reserved July 1 to 21, up from 62% for the same period in 2019.
The state had sold 1.4 million fishing licenses and stamps, a 14% year-overyear increase. And 307,125 spring turkey hunting licenses were sold, up 11% from 2019.
Roberts, an 18-year veteran of the DNR warden force, said boating activity was also noticeably up.
"In my time as a warden, this year has had the busiest conditions on the water I've ever seen," Roberts said.
The changes are likely related to several factors, Roberts said, including some people being furloughed from work and having more time for recreation, many deciding on healthy, outdoor activities rather than indoor events and the wide-spread lack of concerts, festivals and sporting events to attend.
The increase in boating has had a downside: more accidents.
Through last weekend, the DNR had recorded 19 boating-related fatalities, up from 9 in 2019.
With four months to go, the state is on track for 28 boating deaths, which would eclipse the previous highs over the last decade (25 in 2017 and 23 in 2011 and 2012).
It's not the type of record anyone wants.
And many of the deaths are preventable, according to recreational safety specialists. For starters, although most boaters comply with the law and have a legal PFD on board for each person, many don't wear them.
"The importance of actually wearing the life jacket can't be overstated," Roberts said.
Roberts said it's standard practice when investigating fatal boating accidents to inquire about the swimming skills of the victim. Most often, family members and friends say the victim was a good swimmer.
While it may be true, Roberts said it's a very different proposition to swim in a pool compared to the middle of a lake or river where currents, boat wakes and cold temperatures could make it much more difficult.
In six cases this year, people jumped off or left boats and were unable to make it back. The incidents took place on Lake DuBay, Lake Geneva, Lake Kegonsa, Lake Namekagon, the Mississippi River and Pewaukee Lake.
In kayaking incidents on Beaver Lake in Waukesha County, Lake Michigan in Sheboygan County, the Mecan River in Marquette County and Wind Lake in Racine County the victims capsized and were unable to swim to safety.
The common thread in the 10 fatalities noted above: none of the people was wearing a PFD.
One of the sad realities of many boating investigations is the finding of life jackets stuffed inside a kayak or floating near a capsized vessel.
Roberts said too many people think they can don a PFD after an accident occurs.
“The notion that you can put a life jacket on as an emergency is happening is unrealistic," Roberts said. "Things can go wrong in an instant."
Given the trends this year, DNR wardens are anticipating a busy Labor Day weekend on the state's waters. For that matter, boating activity will likely be higher through the end of the year, too.
They are hopeful that the trend toward increased boating participation will be accompanied by higher rates of boaters and anglers wearing PFDs, too.