Increase in Boating and Water Accidents in Seattle Area
The Seattle area has seen the deadliest August in years when it comes to water rescue and safety. Due to COVID restrictions on groups, travel, and pools, Lake Washington and other lakes have seen a spike in boaters and swimmers. Water rescue and fire department crews have been active, and seen many searches turn from rescue to recovery.
As a Scuba Divemaster and a lawyer who’s handled many water accidents, here are some really important rules to remember:
Panic is one of the leading causes of drownings and near-drownings.
Even if you are comfortable as a swimmer in a pool, consider how you might respond in a stressful situation in cold water with no bottom in sight. Knowing how to swim and being comfortable in water with high stress are two different things. Keep your life jacket on.
Other swimmers’ panic is a danger to you. People lose ordinary thought processes during panic and will try to pull you and climb on top of you. Again, keep your life jacket on.
Use safe boating practices and stay far away from other vessels. Remember that people may be swimming around or trailing boats, and it takes vessels a greater distance to change course than motor vehicles.
To learn more about some of the laws applicable to boaters, start here.