top of page

Rule 1 / Case 3

Always Wear Your PFD (Lifejacket)

Amy Wagner March 11th, 2012 - Lake St. Claire, Ontario, Canada It was a beautiful day in Lakeside, Ontario, and the air temperature was an unseasonably warm 60F (15C). However, the water temperature in Lake St. Claire was still a brutal 35F (2C) when Amy Wagner, 18, and her twenty year old boyfriend decided to go for a romantic afternoon canoe paddle. They even brought a guitar with which he planned to serenade her. Amy, a high school senior, was dressed in a light spring jacket, blue jeans and running shoes. Her boyfriend was wearing a long sleeved T-shirt. Neither of them wore a PFD (lifejacket).


ree

They were about 500 yards from shore and sitting side-by-side on the same seat when the canoe suddenly capsized in 6 feet (2 meters) of water. They tried but were unable to right the canoe and began screaming for help. They knew a sandbar was several meters away and that the water there was only 3 feet (1 meter) deep so they began swimming toward it. Her boyfriend led the way and encouraged Amy to keep swimming, but when he reached the sandbar and turned around, she was gone. Her body was recovered in 6 feet (1 meter) of water the following morning by an underwater search and recovery team from nearby Gravenhurst.

An indication of how severely debilitating even a partial immersion in 35F (2C) water can be, is the fact that Amy’s boyfriend lost control of his legs and collapsed repeatedly as he made his way towards shore along the sandbar in hip-deep water. Toward the end, he reportedly also lost his vision and had to follow the shouted instructions of people on shore who told him which way to go.

Case Note:

Every spring, beautiful days with unseasonably warm air tempt many people to venture out in small boats when the water temperature is still deadly cold. Although the sandbar was very close and she knew how to swim, Amy drowned before she could reach it.


Sudden drowning is very common in cold water immersion because cold shock causes a complete loss of breathing control which makes it very difficult or impossible to coordinate breathing and swimming strokes. It also greatly increases the possibility of inhaling water. Many people who can swim have drowned within 6-10 feet of shore due to cold shock and swimming failure. A PFD would have saved her life.

Major Contributing Factors

  • No PFD (Lifejacket)

  • Not Dressed For Water Temperature

  • Unable To Recover From Capsize

  • Unable to Call For Help

  • Unaware of Hazards

  • Paddling Solo



8 Comments


nytwordlehints
5 days ago

This piece provides a fresh and compelling take on the subject. I admire your ability to convey such detailed information in an accessible way. wordle hints

Like


Are you sick of faceless, robotic interactions? Every session is guaranteed to be real and pleasurable by the local Zirakpur Call Girl. These beautiful women provide company that is less about performance and more about connection. It's your time, your energy, and your fantasy returned to you with love, care, and smoldering passion.


Like

So sad to read about Amy. Always wear a PFD, folks! The cold water is no joke, even on a nice day. Seeing her boyfriend basically ragdoll hit the sandbar after being in the water? Scary stuff. Be safe out there!

Like

As a casual gambler in Japan who prefers using Bitcoin, TrueFlip.io bitcoin casino japan has been a pleasant surprise. The registration process was quick and didn’t require endless forms. What impressed me most was the transparency with game odds and the “provably fair” system that’s explained clearly. Their customer support also replied promptly in English, which was helpful. Plus, the site adapts well to Japanese mobile devices, which is essential for me. It’s not just another offshore casino—TrueFlip actually feels tailored to users who care about security and crypto. I’ll definitely keep using it for BTC-based gambling sessions.

Edited
Like

The beauty of a sunny day can often mask hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface. Picture this: a vibrant afternoon by the lake where a couple's romantic dreams teeter on the edge of tragedy. I once experienced a similar challenge when, on a hot summer day, I thought a little paddleboarding wouldn't hurt, not considering the chilly lake waters. Like Amy Wagner, I too faced unforeseen circumstances, mentally juggling the thrill of adventure with the wisdom of precaution – something akin to navigating through the chaos of a Friday Night Funkin song. In retrospect, a lifejacket could have been my saving grace.


Like
Test Anchor
  • Facebook
11th Anniversity Logo.jpg

© National Center for Cold Water Safety 2012-2025 Contact Us

Help Us Save Lives
Donate with PayPal
bottom of page