BY WEBER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

2021 was a tragic year for outdoor recreating in the Weber County Area with a record number of drownings at Pineview Reservoir. Eighty percent of all water-related fatalities could have been prevented by wearing a life jacket. Recreating in the hot sun, coupled with cold water, makes swimming more difficult. Life jackets are highly recommended anytime in the water at every age, no matter your swimming level. Here are some things to keep in mind while recreating on the water this spring/summer.

Boats, Paddleboards, and Kayaks:

• One US Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be on any vessel on the water for every person on the vessel. Children under 12 years of age or younger are required to wear a lifejacket at all times on the boat unless in the enclosed cabin area. Participants engaged in towing activities (waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubes, etc.) and anyone on a personal watercraft must be wearing a lifejacket.
• All stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes must have at least one US Coast Guard-approved wearable or inflatable life jacket for each person on board. Those 12 years of age and younger must wear a life jacket at all times while on the water.
• One US Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be on any vessel on the water for every person on the vessel. Children under 12 years of age or younger are required to wear a lifejacket at all times on the boat unless in the enclosed cabin area. Participants engaged in towing activities (waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubes, etc.) and anyone on a personal watercraft must be wearing a lifejacket.
• All stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes must have at least one US Coast Guard-approved wearable or inflatable life jacket for each person on board. Those 12 years of age and younger must wear a life jacket at all times while on the water.

Here are some tips when planning a day of recreating at both Pineview Reservoir and Causey Reservoir:

• Alcohol and open fires are prohibited on all Forest Service beaches, parking lots, and trailheads of Pineview Reservoir.
• Lifejackets are strongly recommended on Pineview Reservoir.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
• Life jackets are required and must be worn at all times while in or on the water of Causey Reservoir.
• Alcohol and open fires are prohibited anywhere on Forest Service lands surrounding Causey Reservoir.

Other Safety/Preparedness Equipment:

Boat owners and operators are advised to carry flashlights, first-aid kits, boarding ladders, tool kits, extra line (rope), spare spark plugs, spare bilge plugs, spare propellers, anchors, and approved visual distress signals. Cell phones, GPS units, and marine band radios have proven vital in many rescue situations.