It’s peak boating season, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds boaters that wearing a life jacket could save your life.
To date, 16 people have died in boating incidents so far this year in Wisconsin. Operator inexperience, inattention, recklessness, and speeding are the four leading causes of tragic watercraft crashes, and the leading cause of death is drowning.
The majority of people who drown in boating accidents know how to swim but become incapacitated in the water such as being injured or unconscious, exhausted, or weighed down by clothing.
Statistics show boaters who wear life jackets and take boater safety courses are most likely to stay safe on Wisconsin waters.
Always follow basic safety tips and enjoy Wisconsin’s great lakes and rivers with family and friends.
More boating safety tips are available on the DNR website.
