Wisconsin DNR Reminds Labor Day Activities On Area Waterways Be Paired With Life Jackets

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding everyone to keep safe this Labor Day Weekend if you have boating plans by wearing a life jacket which could save your life.

The department says the majority of people who drown in boating accidents know how to swim but become incapacitated in the water because of injuries or unconsciousness, exhaustion or being weighed down by clothing.

So far this year, 16 people have died in boating incidents, and another 25 people died in 2021.

Operator inexperience, inattention, recklessness and speeding are the four leading causes of watercraft crashes, and the leading cause of death is drowning according to the Wisconsin DNR.

Lt. Darren Kuhn, DNR Boating Law Administrator said “Wearing a life jacket could save your life. Most drowning victims on Wisconsin waterbodies were not wearing life jackets. He went on to say Wisconsin rivers and lakes can be relaxing and family-friendly places to spend a summer day when you put safety first and respect the water.”