NDPW 2025: Open-Water Dangers

Boating is fun. Jet-skiing is fun. Same with kayaking, canoeing. And swimming too.

If you enjoy the open waters that surround Essex County – particularly on Lakes Erie and St. Clair – then there are all kinds of dangers you need to know about, as explained in our final four National Drowning Prevention Week videos.

For instance, did you know that harsh waves and currents caused by powerful winds or storms can drastically alter the shape and depth of long-existing sandbars? And that piers and docks pose their own unique swimming dangers? Wherever you might swim on surrounding open waters, accept that “water always wins” – a solemn slogan in the first-responder community.

What’s more, any operator or passenger of a pleasure craft out on open water needs to be prepared in the event of trouble. Should you ever be unexpectedly thrust into the water, it’s vital not only that you can stay afloat, but be seen and heard – to maximize your chances of being found. And understand that the cold waters of autumn and spring present their own particular dangers.

Our newest four videos go into more detail on the above open-water dangers.

All eight of our National Drowning Prevention Week videos are conveniently stacked in one link, at our NDPW home page, at countyofessex.ca/NDPW2025.