As the Arctic coast celebrates the 20th anniversary of World Oceans Day July 8, a long-time marine safety researcher is cautioning boaters that the basic Transport Canada guidelines arenSA国际影视传媒檛 enough for the North.

Dr. Audrey Giles, of the University of OttawaSA国际影视传媒檚 School of Kinetics, says while following the guidelines is essential for a safe trip on the water, northerners should take additional precautions.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the major things to think about is, if you fall out of your boat, youSA国际影视传媒檙e falling into water thatSA国际影视传媒檚 really cold,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪o the ability to get back into your boat is actually a bigger challenge than it would be in warmer waters.

SA国际影视传媒淵ouSA国际影视传媒檙e not going to be able to use your muscles in the same way. So itSA国际影视传媒檚 really important that we stress things like having a re-boarding device on your boat, for instance.SA国际影视传媒�

Other key items northerners should pack in their safety kits include an axe, a rifle and ammunition, or a harpoon if going whaling. Dr. Giles has been volunteering in water safety around Inuvik since the 1990SA国际影视传媒檚 and has been researching best practices in water safety since she acquired her Ph. D in this area of study in 2005. She also cautions access to health services are limited in the area and emergency plans should account for the distance needed to travel to find a doctor or the right medical equipment.

According to Transport CanadaSA国际影视传媒�, boaters must have a fire extinguisher on board tailored to the type of fuel used. They are also required to carry extra fuel and paddles, a bailing bucket or means of getting water out of the boat, extra rope and a first aid kit. Giles also recommends bringing flares, and of course the most important thing:

SA国际影视传媒淭he biggest one is to wear your life jackets,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淥r wear a survival suit. People often say SA国际影视传媒業 will put it in on if thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a problem,SA国际影视传媒� but thatSA国际影视传媒檚 like saying that youSA国际影视传媒檒l put on your seat belt in a crash. There isnSA国际影视传媒檛 time. You donSA国际影视传媒檛 know when thereSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be a wave that swamps your boat, when thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a collision that you werenSA国际影视传媒檛 expecting or when youSA国际影视传媒檙e going to lose your balance.

SA国际影视传媒淣obody starts the day thinking that they are going to die. But people do all the time.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭raining ourselves out of a jobSA国际影视传媒�

Aside from researching best practices and educating people on the different regional challenges to water safety, Giles also provides training on the subject.

Normally she treks north to offer training each summer, but thanks to the pandemic sheSA国际影视传媒檚 had to miss the last few years. However, she expects to be back on the training circuit throughout the Beaufort Delta in August.

She also notes the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation now has a staff member certified in training. In Tuktoyaktuk boaters can connect with Tyrone Raddi to learn the basics of boat safety.

Giles hopes to establish a fully northern operated training discipline across the Beaufort Delta to ensure the knowledge is accessible.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e really trying to train local people to give courses so that we can work ourselves out of a job,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淩eliance on people from the South is not helpful.We really need to do this in partnership with people in the North who have the knowledge and enable them to be the ones teaching the courses and giving them in the community when theySA国际影视传媒檙e needed.SA国际影视传媒�