By Charles Lefebvre

Residents reminded to be safe on river this summer

Jul 2, 2019 | 5:19 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Fire Department and RCMP are reminding residents they need to take precautions if they plan to head out on the river anytime this summer.

This past weekend, RCMP responded to three separate presumed drownings on rivers and waterways in Alberta. One incident saw a man in his 20s disappear after falling off of his paddleboard in Herbert Lake in Banff National Park.

Another incident saw a man in his 20s jump from a ledge into the Highwood River near a campground in Okotoks. The third incident occurred in Clearwater River and involved a man in his 30s.

In Medicine Hat on Monday, firefighters say they received a call of a raft in the South Saskatchewan River that flipped over from a gust of wind in the afternoon, putting seven people in the water. Fortunately, by the time firefighters arrived on the scene, the people in the water had safely made it to shore.

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Patrick Jerome says the incidents serve as a reminder conditions on the river can change instantly.

“People need to respect the river, and the power that the river has,” he said.

Jerome says with an anticipated increase in traffic over the summer on the river, it’s important for people to plan ahead.

“The river is a big wide open space, weather becomes a factor, so look at the forecast before you’re going to go head into the water, have a look at what the forecast says, and anticipate the worst,” he said.

Enforcement on the laws for the South Saskatchewan River falls on the RCMP.

Staff Sergeant Sean Maxwell says officers perform patrols on the river, focusing on impaired boating and life jacket safety.

He notes not having a life jacket on can result in a fine of up to $500.

“People don’t realize that if they’re on a tube, or if they’re on a paddle board that there are laws that are regulated around them, and they need to make sure they’re wearing the appropriate safety gear when they’re out there,” he said.

Maxwell adds boaters should think twice about drinking while on the river. It’s illegal to operate a motorboat while intoxicated, and being in possession of open liquor while on the river is also illegal. Maxwell adds being intoxicated can also hinder you during an emergency situation.

“If something does go wrong, alcohol does impair your judgment, and you might not react as well,” he said. “Even if you’ve got the proper safety equipment out there, if you’ve got your PFD (personal flotation device), maybe you’re not wearing it, maybe you have a more difficult time getting it back on.”

In addition to a life jacket, boaters should carry a cell phone, a rope to help pull themselves to shore and a whistle they can blow to help attract attention from the shore.

If you do fall into the water, swim to shore as best as you can, while yelling for help or blowing on the whistle.

Jerome and Maxwell both say having an approved life jacket can make the difference between life and death if you do end up with the water.

“A PFD could potentially keep your head above water even if you go unconscious for any reason, and it’s staying on that upper part of the water so that somebody that’s rescuing you and can see you that’s so important,” said Maxwell.

“You don’t wear your life jacket, you have that much more chance of drowning,” said Jerome. “So, don’t just have it with you, wear it, put it on. A life jacket’s only good if you’re going to wear it.”