[EN PHOTOS] A hunter drowned in St. Lawrence

After two accidents on the water and ice this weekend, the Life Saving Association is re-emphasizing safety measures as winter approaches.

“We take five to ten days of cold nights to -10 degrees or less before we think of the thickness of the ice that has now formed,” said Ronald Hawkins, director general of the organization.

Cubs should not trust the date to be safe. In some parts of Quebec, mercury is not low enough to allow ice to act.

Tragedy

Note that there were two accidents in the water and snow this weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, a snowmobiler almost drowned in Lake David in Sibugama after a thin layer of ice broke and scattered.

Before he could be rescued, it was his floating suit that brought him to the surface of the icy water.

On Sunday morning, a hunter who went missing near Saint-Croix was found dead in the river a few hours after he fell from his boat.

The person was wearing his life jacket, but the water was very cold.

Safety tips

Since the beginning of the year, 78 deaths have occurred in the water, which is very close to the annual average of 80. As of this date last year, there were 94 deaths in the Lifeguard Association.

“I think more and more people in Quebec want to do activities in or out of the water, which increases their probability, especially if they do not follow safety advice,” Hawkins said.

To prevent accidents, the director first advises that “local authorities check the thickness of the ice if they have been measured”.

It could be the snowmobile and ATV club in their area.

See the Qubescars website to see a snow thickness chart for operation. Especially with snowmobiles, we recommend 12 to 15 centimeters.

For fishermen or hunters on boats, the life jacket is “very important”.

This reduces the risk of drowning after a “heat shock” and protects the blood circulation and respiratory system.

– In collaboration with Jeremy Bernier