2024-Nov-19
Recent Rescues Highlight the Importance of Preparation
It happens and it can happen to anyone! These two recent incidents in Ontario’s wilderness underscore the importance of taking all the necessary offseason safety precautions:
A 66-year-old Mono Township man owes his life to wearing a life jacket! Mid morning on November 7 during a solo boat ride on the Bay, the man went overboard into chilly 10.5°C southern Georgian Bay waters near Sturgeon Bay. He inflated his life jacket, which allowed him to tread water and swim for over an hour before he was able to reach a shoal.
Residents nearby noticed the man’s yellow life jacket from 400 meters away. They alerted authorities, prompting a swift response from the OPP Marine Unit. Rescued at 2 p.m., the hypothermic man received medical treatment from Simcoe County Paramedics and was hospitalized. Read the full story here.
On November 10, Nipissing West OPP responded to a complaint about a missing person in Killarney Provincial Park, who had been on an eight-day trip and was overdue returning. The 33-year-old was an experienced winter hiker, traveling with a dog and enough food for the hike. With the assistance of the West Nipissing OPP members, Emergency Response Team, and OPP helicopter, the person was located about two days later, with minor injuries and transported to the area hospital by EMS as a precaution. Read the full story here.
Be Prepared!
Thankfully these stories both had happy endings, but situations like these can happen to even the most seasoned cottagers. It is essential to be prepared and as self-sufficient as possible, especially in the off-season when fewer people are around to provide assistance and time is of the essence.
Resources