Water safety is learning to love your life vest

By TRACY DENMAN

RIVER VALLEY— Suzanne Williams and her boyfriend, Joseph O’Leary, went out for a canoe trip on the Delaware on Monday, June 4. Only one came back alive.

Both were inexperienced canoeists, and some troubling waters among the Staircase Rapids, below Pond Eddy, capsized their canoe. Even more troubling, however, is that the pair had life vests in the boat but were not wearing them, according to Orange County coroner Donald Parker. As the rapids approached, the two tried to pull them on, but it was too late. O’Leary was a strong enough swimmer to keep himself and the canoe afloat. Unfortunately, Williams was not.

According to Parker, O’Leary thought Williams was holding onto the canoe as he pulled it toward shore but she was, in fact, struggling in the water. Despite later efforts by National Park Service (NPS) Ranger Vince Preago to revive her, Williams drowned.

The couple rented the canoe from Landers River Trips boat rentals in Narrowsburg. General Manager Eric Orr said he has all his customers put on the life vests before they leave and both Williams and O’Leary were wearing life vests when they left. They simply took them off. Orr said, “We have a safety checklist and a trained staff to go over safety rules with the customers.” Orr also said that his staff is available to accompany customers on river trips by request. In William’s case, “Wearing a life vest would have changed the circumstances.”

While Orr said some of the general public is aware of water safety, “There is always room for improvement. The information needs to get to the people boating.”

Orr suggested more safety information in commercials about canoeing or boating at rental places.  According to Parker, a commercial for canoeing on the Delaware inspired Williams and O’Leary to take the river trip. Orr said, “We want people to have fun safely.”

NPS Ranger Cliff Daniels is always trying to enforce water safety in his jurisdiction. “We have several means and avenues. We educate visitors and we also go out and make contact if we notice potential violations.” Unfortunately, those over 14 are not required to wear life vests, although they must be present in the boat. Those under 14 face a $50 fine if riding without a life vest on.

According to Daniels, the general public is not aware of water safety. “Because they come to enjoy themselves, they are not aware of their surroundings or environment. People have to take responsibility for their actions… A lot of people still think, ‘it’s not gonna happen to me.’”

A list distributed by Landers River Trips identifies the following safety tips: watch out for potential river hazards such as sudden drop offs, swift currents, eel weirs, trees and branches; bring adequate water; don’t drink out of the river; wear sun screen and shoes; abstain from drinking alchohol; and always wear a life vest.

Additional tips from the Red Cross are: If you have been capsized, float with your arms over your head. This will allow your arms to come in contact with things first, protecting your head or neck from injury. In general, jump feet first rather than dive to avoid shallow water accidents and hidden rocks. When floating downstream, float feet first.

Wearing, or not wearing, a life vest is a leading cause of water accidents. Authorities agree that, had Williams been wearing her life vest, she might still have her life.