Try Not to Drown, OK?

Did you know that "recreation aquatic accidents" account for over 1200 fatalities in Canada every year? In other words, 1200 people die from drowning annually. This is more than all of the deaths associated with air and rail disasters combined. 85% of the victims are male, 95% of themin the 15-49 year-old age group. In addition, more than 50% of all boating fatalities involve alcohol.

Most of the people who die in boating accidents have fallen out of the boat, or the boat has capsized and they end up in the water. Even able swimmers are then at the mercy of the elements - which are known to not always be real friendly to us human types.

One-third of all drownings involve power boats, usually small craft under eighteen feet in length. Are you getting the picture here? It looks like this: 'the guys' get together with a 2-4 of beer and head out on the water on a boat owned by one of them, to do some fishing.

Now this is something that I wouldn't normally mention in polite company, but here's a little known and extremely important fact in regard to men drowning: a huge percentage of them are found with their flies open. So guess what, guys? Next time you go fishing with your buddies and it's a little rough out there, and you crack open the case of beer, remember this: how much protection have you got on that boat once you get a little unsteady on your feet - maybe 12" of freeboard?

The thing is, these are not just statistics - you are our husbands, brothers, fathers and sons out there "having fun." And as much as we may laugh, we _want_ you home to brag to us about the "big one that got away." We already know that it isn't "cool" to wear a life jacket, but at least be cautious when you're relieving yourself, okay?

Think about it. Before you go. And before you go.