Whether you’re enjoying the water along the Ottawa River or shores far from home this Summer, the police want you to keep safety in mind.
With boating and beach season now well underway, Sergeant Walt Lushman of the Ottawa Police Service’s Marine Unit reached out to myFM to remind you that impaired driving laws are the same on the water as they are on the road and extend to non-motorized watercraft like kayaks and canoes.
As Sgt. Lushman tells it: swimming, boating and alcohol do not mix.
Alcohol reduces the rate your brain can process information, lowers your body temperature making you more prone to hypothermia, affects your sense of distance and can lead to risk-taking behaviour. All of these can turn a fun day on the water into a dangerous scenario.
The Marine Unit asks that you wear your life jacket at all times, keep the proper safety equipment on board, and follow all posted signage while out on waters.
Sgt. Lushman also reminds swimmers that bodies of water in quarries or underneath bridges are usually private property and not meant for swimming.
Keep away from unknown waters as depths and currents can change at a moment’s notice, and to keep your life jacket on regardless of what level of swimmer you are.
Lastly, parents should keep their attention on their kids while swimming, as drowning can happen in a matter of seconds.
(written by Kasey Egan)
