This is Public Health: Men's Health Month
Every June, Lake County Public Health joins the rest of the nation in celebrating Men’s Health Month. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to highlight men’s health issues and raise awareness of early detection and treatment for disease and injury prevention.
Part of being aware is looking at the impact of lifestyle choices on health. To be a good role model for the loved ones in your life, one needs to stay strong which means staying healthy.
This year in honoring Men’s Health, I chose Boat Safety as the topic for discussion. As I look out across this vast body of water we call Flathead Lake, I am reminded of the near-fatal boating accident involving my only son and his friends. This alcohol-related boating accident could have easily been prevented. Thankfully, because of the quick response of the officer on duty and the Search and Rescue team, their lives were spared.
Recently, I visited with one of the members of the Lake County Search and Rescue. There are on average 10 legitimate calls for Lake County Search and Rescue annually on Flathead Lake. This message was loud and clear — do not mix alcohol and the water. What could be a minor incident if everyone was sober becomes a huge deal when they aren’t sober.
The other message was to wear life jackets, which increase your chance of survival. Immersion in cold water can kill in just minutes, the colder the water, the greater the risk. One’s swimming ability does not improve one’s chances for survival, but a life jacket will.
In talking with Dan Yonkin, Lake County Undersheriff, he stated, “there will be an increased presence on the lake during high activity times such as holidays and weekends. Some of the enforcement activities we engage in are ensuring proper safety equipment. Also, officers want to ensure that the boats conform to state laws.” This includes: noise levels, safe shoreline distance, operating at safe speeds, observing no-wake zones and BUI’s [Boating while under the influence].
Dan’s message to the public was to be proactive. He stated, “Make sure that everyone prepares for a boat trip the same way you would prepare for a long road trip. People need to plan ahead to make sure that their boat and equipment ensure a safe trip.
Examples of this are enough gas, oars, life jackets, gear, sunscreen, drinking water, and checking the weather conditions. Don’t assume anything when it comes to the water.” Dan also suggested going online and taking the Montana Boat Safety Course.
Boating safety issues are not unique to Lake County. In a recent article on the Coast Guard Auxiliary from Missoula County, Liz Lodman, Montana Boat Education Coordinator for Fish, Wildlife and Parks commented, “In the past five seasons we’ve had 55 reported boating/water related accidents involving injury or vessel damage on western Montana waters. Seventeen of these resulted in fatalities.
“Hopefully, having an increased Coast Guard presence encouraging good watercraft skills and boating safety on rivers and lakes in this area should help reduce these numbers.”
Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks celebrated National Safe Boating Week in Montana with a boat safety check and other tips at Gull Boats in Missoula. Last year, the “Ready, Set, Wear It!” activity engaged more than 1,600 participants at nearly 100 events nationwide. For more information on Boating Safety Week, contact Liz Lodman at llodman@mt.gov, or call: 444-9940.
Many situations and circumstances in our lives cannot be predicted or even avoided. Some situations, however, can be anticipated. The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies to boat safety. I would like to honor Men’s Health Month by thanking all the men and women who risk their lives to save others. So, be safe and have fun this boating season!