Boating Safety: It takes only a teaspoon of water to drown

SEATTLE – There’s nothing more fun than hitting the water on a hot summer day, for many people. The water calls people to fun in many ways, and right now water safety experts work to make sure people know how to put safety first.

“We already lost one 17-year-old in the Green River on an 80-degree day. The water temperature was in the 50s,” said Deputy Rich Barton with the King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol.

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Jeremiah Smith, considered a very good swimmer, did not make it out of the river after swimming with friends.

Barton and his partner Deputy Dan Christian patrol Lake Washington, often stopping at various beaches to spray the kids and waders with water from the boat’s fire hose.

They say they love their jobs, love the water and just want everyone to be safe.

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It doesn’t matter if it’s a river, lake, or the Sound, it’s all cold in Western Washington, a shock to the system. It’s why people gasp when they first hit the water.

“I still get that involuntary response to the cold water. You gasp because it’s cold, it shocks the body and it only takes a teaspoon of water to drown,” said Barton.

That’s it, just one teaspoon of water. The lungs cannot handle more than that.

To overcome this, experts say wear a life jacket, one that’s specifically designed for what you’re doing and one that you know how to use.

Deputy Barton said they lost a stand-up paddle boarder because he fell in, panicked and did not pull the tab to inflate his personal flotation device or PFD.

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If someone’s in trouble in the water, Deputy Barton said to remember these words: Reach, Throw, Go.

• First, just reach out to them without going in the water, to see if you can pull the victim out.
• Second throw a life jacket, life ring, anything that will help them stay afloat.
• Third and only if all else fails, go in after the victim, but only after you’ve put a life jacket on.

Swimmers in a panic can bring down the person trying to rescue them, leaving two victims instead of one.

Many local marinas and state parks offer free life jacket loaner kiosks, so look for those before you go in the water. Borrow a life jacket and just return it for the next person when you’re done.

Another good safety practice is to file a float plan, which does not have to be fancy.

Simply writing your plan down on a piece of paper and sticking it on the dash of your vehicle is better than nothing. For instance: “Kayaking to Blake Island; will return 4:00 p.m. May 22.” You can also text that message to a friend; just make sure you check in when you’re back to your car!

There’s lot of safety information online from BoatUS and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

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