Safety comes at too high a price for some people

An open letter from Inspector Mark Andrews Unit Commander - Traffic and Marine, North East Region.

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Letter to the Editor:

Last year 22 people were lost in drowning deaths in Ontario, 18 of them were not wearing a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) or a life jacket.

In Northeastern Ontario alone, 6 men drown, none of them wearing a PFD.

Some complain that the PFD is too uncomfortable.

The technology of PFD has come a long way, you don't even notice they are on, until you are in the water fighting for your life.

The common response - I have a life jacket right here in the boat - just simply doesn't hold water!

When an emergency happens you don't have time to put one on - it's unexpected and almost impossible to get one on once your in the water, that's if you can reach your life jacket at all.

Cold water upsets are even deadlier.

I often hear that the cost of PFD is too expensive.

If inflated, recharging costs another $20.

Thousands of dollars are spent on our water sports, but regrettably safety comes at too high a price for some people.

My quick calculation for the cost of fishing may drive the point home - boat and motor $4,000 - $30,000; fishing gear $300 - $1,000; trolling motor $150 - $600; sunglasses $160 - $300; self-inflating personal floatation device (PFD) $120 - $600.

In the big picture, a PDF is not much of an expense - it's a cost of doing business that could save your life.

On the flip side, the average cost of a funeral in Ontario $10,000.

Please, this season wear a PFD - your families will thank you.

Mark E. Andrews
Inspector Unit Commander
Traffic and Marine
North East Region
North Bay

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