DNR: Water Safety Isn’t Just for Summertime

(KNSI) – Minnesota welcomes the start of the waterfowl hunting season on Saturday, and as hunters prepare to head to the fields, lakes, rivers and ponds, the Department of Natural Resources is stressing the fact that water safety isn’t just for the summertime.

Conservation Officer Brett Willtrout tells KNSI the water is mild now, but the colder the air gets, the colder the water gets, and that spells danger. Thirty percent of Minnesota’s boat fatalities happen in cold water. “The first thing that’s going to happen is you’re going to get this cold water shock response. And that’s going to be gasping, hyperventilation and panic. And when you do that, you inhale water, and then you basically are drowning already in the first two or three minutes.”

The second concern is swim failure. Within the first 30 minutes, a body will rapidly cool, and hunters will lose the use of their arms and legs, which makes it difficult to stay above water, and there is always the risk of hypothermia.

Willtrout stressed that wearing a life jacket will prevent tragedy. Another critical tip is to always tell someone where you’re going and when to expect you back.

Waterfowl hunting draws nearly 82,000 people out on fall weekends.

For more safety tips, click here.

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