What we have learned

• The main cause of boating drowning death (87%) is not properly wearing a lifejacket or PFD.
• You should always wear a lifejacket or PFD. Close by isn’t close enough.

The Facts

• On average, there are 180 boating drowning deaths each year in Canada
• Of those who drown, 87% are not wearing, or are not properly wearing, a PFD or lifejacket.
• In a 10 year span, over 1,000 people (60%) drowned while powerboating and almost 700 (40%) while unpowered boating (canoe, kayak, sail boat, raft)
• 93 % of those who drown while boating are male.
• Men between the ages of 15 and 45 years old are at greatest risk for drowning.

Based on known cases:

CANOE
88% of canoe drowning victims are not wearing, or not properly wearing, a flotation device.

KAYAK
67% of kayak victims are not wearing, or not properly wearing, a flotation device.

RAFT
55% of rafting and inflatable watercraft drowning victims are not wearing, or not properly wearing, a flotation device.

ROWBOAT
94% of rowboat drowning victims are not wearing, or not properly wearing, a flotation device.

SAILBOAT
70% of sailboat drowning victims are not wearing, or not properly wearing, a flotation device.

POWERBOAT
88% of powerboat drowning victims are not wearing, or not properly wearing, a flotation device.
Prepare! Stay Safe! And Survive!

When aboard any water craft, make sure you and all passengers are wearing a properly fitted and Transport Canada approved PFD or lifejacket – it could save your life.

For more information on lifejackets and PFDs, please visit: www.redcross.ca lifejackets or www.wearalifejacket.com.