Lake mistakes could cost innocent lives
Comment
by Chris Simon

Perhaps it's time for society to take a harder stance on reckless winter recreationalists.

Earlier this month, town councillors suggested support for increasing water and ice rescue fines for Innisfil's fire department. It's a measure specifically aimed at rescue attempts on Lake Simcoe, especially during the winter season.

Those councillors were responding to the drowning deaths of three people on the lake over the last month. Two of the people who died were on a snowmobiling excursion, while the other person went ice fishing.

Police and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs had issued warnings several days before each incident, noting the dangerous conditions on the lake. If the warnings weren't enough, warm weather and foggy conditions should have tipped the men off about staying away from the ice.

While both incidents happened off the shores of Georgina, fears of putting local emergency personnel in unnecessary danger have sparked a debate in Innisfil. Each winter, there are countless media reports of people who have either fallen through the lake, or have gone missing while ice-fishing or snowmobiling. When that happens, fire and rescue personnel are called, and asked to risk their lives.

Obviously, those personnel have dangerous jobs, and know the associated risks. They're consistently called to fires, chemical spills and collision scenes, in some pretty poor weather conditions. But considering most winter lake incidents are easily avoidable through basic research on ice conditions, many rescue personnel are being placed in unnecessary danger.

Increasing municipal fines for rescue attempts may be a start towards serious deterrence efforts. But higher levels of government also need to come on board, and legislate jail time or other significant punishment for offenders, if they survive falling through the ice.

Maybe it's even time for a provincial awareness or marketing campaign, warning people to stay off the ice under certain conditions. A media campaign, with website addresses and telephone numbers for ice condition updates would at least be an attempt by governments and police agencies to stop these incidents from occurring.

Media could also do a better job of spreading warnings before someone goes missing. Most newspapers, and television and radio stations have their own websites, which could easily show warnings. Radio and 24-hour news stations run frequent updates, and could also include something in their broadcast.

Even private businesses like gas stations and bait shops could aid an awareness campaign, using those media updates to give snowmobilers and ice-fishers current lake condition information while purchasing supplies.

But ultimately, responsibility lies with the outdoor enthusiast.

It's unfortunate when someone plunges through ice and into the cold waters of the lake each winter. Surely, most of those people do not mean to place themselves in a dangerous situation. But enthusiasts need to understand they're not the only people affected if an accident occurs.

Family members are forced to care for injured loved ones or mourn their senseless deaths. Rescue personnel have the pressures of staying safe on the ice, and attempting to recover the recreationalists alive. When a rescue attempt fails, the personnel can be emotionally scarred.

It seems like a lot of potential pain just for a good time.