Cold-water dangers lurk, despite mild winter

The warmer weather is causing people to turn to activities they don’t normally do this time of year, but there are some dangers.

First responders want to remind people that it is not summer yet, and water temperatures are extremely cold.

Roger Johnson, the fire chief at Sisters Camp-Sherman Fire District, said Wednesday it’s important to be prepared if you’re heading out on the water, and have the proper equipment with you.

Johnson recommends a life jacket and a dry suit or wetsuit, if possible, to help keep you warm.

“There’s a lot of our rivers that stay cold all season, but especially this time of year,” he said. “Some of the ice may be coming off some of the high lakes, and the water is still really cold. “It’s important that everybody treat every body of water this time of year like it could be hazardous.”

Johnson said the bottom line is he wants people to be aware and safe, if they do choose to go out on the water.

He added the being over-prepared is the best way to go when heading out.

But the warm weather has been a good thing for some.

The general manager of Suttle Lake Resort said Wednesday the mild conditions have helped out with business, but so has the snow, when it did fall inpast months.

T.J. Paskewich said they have had a successful winter because of the weather and people have been able to get out on the water to fish and even kayak and paddleboard.

Paskewich said he hopes the strong season will continue for them as they head into the coming months.

“It’s been fairly busy. We’ve had some peaks and valleys,” Paskewich said. “When the snow did fly in December and January, business did pick up a little bit, mostly because of Hoodoo being so close by. Weekends mostly we are really busy, Thursday through Sunday.”

Paskewich added that when people do head out on the lake during these months, they remind them to be careful and that the water is still extremely cold.

They all want to make sure everyone is prepared if they were to fall into the water unexpectedly.

But if the worst case scenario does happen, Johnson said it’s important to remain calm and get yourself to safety.

“Best thing to do is take precautions ahead of time but, you know, sometimes you just end up in that situation,” Johnson said. “Just try to relax, get to shore, get to a safe place as soon as you can, and get out of the water as soon as possible.”

Johnson added that when you are in cold water, it will quickly take heat away from your body, along with your ability to think and reason.

He said when you do make it back to shore to get warm as fast as possible and get the wet clothes off your body.