Plan Ahead for Spring Storms and Cold Water

Salt Lake City - As air temperatures warm and ice melts off the reservoirs, Utah State Parks boating officials remind everyone to be aware of the dangers of sudden spring storms and cold water temperatures.

*You never know when you might end up in the water. Life jackets not only keep you afloat, but provide an extra layer of warmth,* said State Boating Coordinator Dave Harris. *The combination of additional heat and flotation might mean the difference between life and death.
Wearing a life jacket can also aid in self-rescue, providing you with extra time to climb back into your boat.* He reported that if someone fell into 40-degree water, they could survive perhaps five to 10 minutes before succumbing to hypothermia.

Statistics prove the importance of wearing life jackets. Three of four people who drowned in boating accidents would not have died had they worn a life jacket.

State boating law requires all children 12 years of age and younger to wear a life jacket while a boat is in operation, and it is recommended that all boaters wear a life jacket at all times.

Also, always tell someone your boating plans including where you are going and what time you will return. Remember to check local weather conditions. Sudden spring storms occur quickly, and often are accompanied by severe winds.