Latest news with #lifejacket
CBS News
6 hours ago
- CBS News
North Texas mom says faulty life jacket nearly drowned young son
When the Texas summer starts to sizzle, Ashley McCombs often loads up her boys and heads to Lake Weatherford. Sunday was one of those days. "And we did a little bit of fishing, and we got in the water; they had their little swimsuits on," McCombs recalled. She thought she was doing everything right to keep them safe: keeping them in sight, and 6-year-old Oaks was within arm's reach, wearing a life jacket. "All of a sudden, (he) just went missing. We could not find him," McCombs said. "And at that point, he had been pulled under the water. Because his life jacket had filled with water... just very heavy, very heavy. And it's just like, pouring water out of it." She said Oaks was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with non-lethal drowning. He was traumatized, but is going to be okay. But McCombs was still shaken by the close call. "Actually, this is the second life jacket with that same brand that did that," she said. "But I didn't even think twice about it. You know, I thought, 'oh, maybe it's just faulty.'" Experts say there are several reasons a life jacket can fail — it may be poorly fitted or not secured correctly. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, flotation devices are rated for specific water activities. For example, more buoyancy is needed for offshore activities than for swimming in calm water. A life jacket approved for swimming would be inadequate for whitewater paddling. But McCombs said none of that explained why a brand-new life jacket, fitted for a 6-year-old, failed. "I'm incredibly upset," McCombs said, "because what if I've lost my child or somebody else, you know, loses their child?" Her receipt showed she purchased the Coast Guard-approved life jacket at a local big box store less than two weeks ago. Now, her message to other parents is clear: "I would say watch your children. Don't trust the life jacket. Don't trust friends around you. But keep your eyes on your children at all times." And she had this to say to the manufacturer: "It's not like something simple not working, you know? But it's somebody's life that could be taken," McCombs said. "The life jacket has to work. Parents are trusting you."
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Don't swim alone, Lifesaving Society stresses in kickoff to drowning prevention week
Officials with the Lifesaving Society are highlighting the importance of swimming with others and wearing a life-jacket as they mark another National Drowning Prevention Week. It comes as more people hit the water for the summer amid a spate of recent drowning deaths in the London area, including the drowning of a 17-year-old in Chatham, an 18-year-old man in Ipperwash, and a 35-year-old man in Port Burwell. The week-long safety campaign began on Sunday, the same day Stratford police say a 13-year-old Hamilton girl drowned while swimming in the reservoir of Wildwood Conservation Area. This year, the national volunteer organization and registered charity is focusing on educating the public about the dangers of swimming alone. The organization says swimming alone was a factor in roughly 56 per cent of drowning deaths in Ontario last year involving adults aged 35 to 64, and 69 per cent of deaths involving adults 65 and older. In young children five and under, absent or distracted supervision was a factor in 97 per cent of drownings, officials say. "Drowning is fast, and it's often silent, so we're looking at ways that you can be safer together, whether that's with someone else, or a parent being within arm's reach, or whether it's with your life jacket," said Stephanie Bakalar, a spokesperson for the Lifesaving Society's Ontario branch. "We have seen quite a few drownings this year, on par with the last few years happening in July, and it is often related to not being able to swim. It's a huge risk factor," she said. Nearly half of all reported drownings in the province last year happened in a lake or pond. Nineteen per cent involved a river, 15 per cent a bathtub, and 11 per cent a pool. Just one per cent occurred in lifeguard-supervised settings. Officials urge caution during drowning prevention week 15 hours ago Another major risk factor includes not wearing a life-jacket, including while boating. In at least 86 per cent of boating-related drownings last year, the victim was not wearing a life-jacket, the society says. "I think there's a misconception with life jackets that they're bulky, cumbersome, difficult. 'I don't need a life jacket,' is the attitude of a lot of people. 'I can swim. I'm on the boat, I'll be fine,'" Bakalar said. "Once you've been in an accident on a boat or fallen overboard, you're not going to be able to get to your life-jacket to put it on. Same as you're not going to wait to put a seat belt on until after you've crashed your car." She says modern life jackets come in a variety of styles and models, including inflatable ones that stay flat until you need them. Bakalar recommends people always swim with someone who knows how to swim or has lifesaving training, or to swim where there are lifeguards supervising. Children should always be actively watched at all times, she said. Taking or brushing up on swimming lessons is also a great way to stay safe in the water, she said, and the knowledge gained through lifesaving training can be beneficial even if you don't plan to become a lifeguard.
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Alderwoman wants to require Chicago boaters to wear life vests after woman drowned in Playpen
A tragedy on Lake Michigan claimed the life of a Chicago hairstylist last month. Zahrie Walls was not wearing a life jacket when she fell off a boat at the Playpen and died. Now a proposed city ordinance is seeking change. Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) has proposed an ordinance that would require all boaters on the lake or other waterways in Chicago to wear a personal flotation device, or face fines of $100 to $500. Boat owner David Johnson prepared to take his friends out on his 24-foot-long jet boat for the afternoon on Friday, and said what's always part of his plan before leaving the dock at 31st Street Harbor is making sure everyone onboard has their life jacket on. "I know when I take people out on the boat with me, a lot of times from the moment we pull out to the moment we come back, I'm making sure they got life vests on. I'm identifying who knows how to swim, who doesn't," he said. For passenger AdeOla Fadumiye, a life jacket is a priority. "If I fall over, I would float and not drown. I can swim, but open water scares me," Fadumiye said. Coleman introduced the life vest ordinance to the City Council on Wednesday. It has been assigned to the Transportation Committee, but no hearings have yet been scheduled. Coleman said the goal is to get it approved by the City Council in September. The ordinance would make it mandatory for anyone on any "watercraft, sailboat, recreational boat, personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft" to wear a personal flotation device, unless they sign a release certifying they are able to swim and release the boat's operator of any liability for the risks of failing to wear a life jacket. Coleman said she introduced the ordinance after Wells died on June 21, after falling from a boat in the area of Lake Michigan known as the Playpen, near Navy Pier. Walls didn't know how to swim and wasn't wearing a lifejacket. "I have witnessed the pain of her family and losing a life, and then her family will forever be traumatized because of the loss of such young, motivating, inspiring young lady," Coleman said. Anyone on a boat in Chicago not wearing a life jacket could face fines of between $100 and $500. Boat operators who fail to make sure all their passengers are wearing life vests could face fines of $100 to $1.500 and between 10 days and 6 months in jail. Coleman said her goal is to name the ordinance in memory of Walls.
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Life Skills: How to stay safe around beaches and pools
Summer is a good time to dive into the refreshing waters of beaches and pools to cool off. While you're splashing around, it's also important to keep safety in mind. Swimming has many hidden dangers. How can we stay safe? Swim under an adult's supervision Remember, always swim where an adult can keep an eye on you. Drowning can occur suddenly and quietly, often with tragic results. Having responsible adults nearby can make a huge difference. If you are unfortunate enough to face this situation, they can respond quickly in an emergency. This is very important for rescue efforts. A trusted adult can also provide guidance and instructions on proper swimming techniques. Wear suitable swimming equipment Make sure to wear the right swim gear, such as a life jacket, swim goggles and sunscreen. These items are important for your safety. A life jacket helps you stay afloat, especially in deep or rough waters. Swim goggles protect your eyes and allow you to see more clearly under water. Using a water-resistant sunscreen helps prevent sunburn. Be cautious of waves and currents If you are at the beach, watch for warning signs about strong currents and waves. They can change a swimmer's direction quickly and cause confusion. Check the water conditions before getting in and stay aware of your surroundings. Have fun swimming safely!
CTV News
13-07-2025
- CTV News
Impaired boater charged after passenger dies on lake near Bancroft, Ont.
An OPP cruiser is pictured in this undated photo. (Source: OPP Central Region) Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 21-year-old impaired boater after a passenger fell overboard and did not resurface southeast of Bancroft, Ont. Saturday morning. Police say officers were called to Weslemkoon Lake in the Township of Addington Heights after getting reports that a person had fallen in the water at 7:45 a.m. A coordinated response from a marine unit, air and underwater search and rescue team was sent in to locate the person. The body of a 22-year-old man from Toronto was recovered at approximately 8 p.m. After an investigation, police charged a 21-year-old man from Toronto with operation causing death, dangerous operation causing death and two offences relating to impaired driving. The investigation is ongoing and the identity of the deceased is not being released at this time, police say. OPP tell CTV News Ottawa there were approximately a dozen marine incidents across the province this weekend. Police are urging people to make sure they are wearing their lifejacket while on board any boat or vessel. 'Boaters and paddlers are reminded that alcohol or drug impairment, operator inexperience and not wearing a lifejacket, are among contributing factors in marine injuries and deaths,' OPP said in a news release on Sunday morning. 'For a safe and enjoyable boating season, always be well prepared, check the weather forecast, and make sure your vessel is functioning and equipped.' Police recommend all vessel owners and operators familiarize themselves with the Safe Boating Guide before venturing out onto the water with your family. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact L&A County OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at Weslemkoon Lake is located approximately 215 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa.
