Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Caution can save many lives at Lake Mead

Wednesday, April 29, 1998 | 11:25 a.m.

PAULA DEL GIUDICE has been an outdoors freelance writer, author and photographer for 13 years. Her column appears Wednesdays.

TWO MEN in a 14-foot sailboat died at Lake Mead last Friday when their craft capsized, sending both into the water. Though they were wearing personal flotation devices, they succumbed to hypothermia. With water temperature around 60 degrees, it doesn't take long for hypothermia to set in and cause death.

But most boat accidents at Lake Mead can be avoided by using common sense and caution. According to David Pfiffner, supervising warden at the Nevada Division of Wildlife, common problems at Lake Mead are caused by weather and inexperience.

In addition, people underestimate the danger of cold water.

"I checked a guy last weekend who was pulling a water skier. He didn't realize it but the skier was in the early stages of hypothermia," Pfiffner said.

Personal water craft are especially dangerous.

PWC accidents occur when operators are reckless, such as when they turn quickly trying to splash or spray each other, jump wakes or cut in front of other boats. Also, some people rent or borrow a PWC and take off without any experience or knowledge about how to operate one safely.

Anglers know that the increased popularity of PWCs has changed the opportunity to catch fish at Lake Mead during the summer months.

Shore anglers and swimmers using beaches are at risk from reckless PWC operators who come too close to shore. PWC operators should exercise caution and courtesy when operating their crafts.

PWCs represent over 20 percent of boats registered in Nevada. According to Pfiffner, their popularity and presence will only increase.

I've not operated a PWC, but everyone who has -- even diehard anglers who are annoyed by the noise and their presence on what they consider serene waterways -- tells me they're a lot of fun. However, there should be no reason for fun to turn into tragedy.

There are many things boaters can do to keep themselves and their families safe while operating boats or PWC at Lake Mead or elsewhere. Wearing an approved life jacket is the easiest and most beneficial, though most boaters get complacent and lazy about wearing them.

Not only can a personal flotation device save your life by keeping you afloat, but if you capsize in cold water, it can keep hypothermia at bay. The National Safety Council recommends you keep the "50-50-50" rule in mind,

If someone is in 50-degree water for 50 minutes, they have a 50-percent better chance of survival if they're wearing a life jacket.

In 1996, 247 Nevada boating accidents were reported. Thirty-three percent were a result of PWC accidents. There were 91 accidents that caused injury with 100 people injured. Of those, nearly 50 percent were injuries to PWC operators. The low PWC fatality rate nationwide is a product of uniform state laws mandating life jacket wear.

Boaters should also know that the same laws that apply to drinking and operating a motor vehicle apply to a boat as well.

Other things that can keep boaters safe this summer include keeping a fire extinguisher on board and always letting someone know where you're headed. It pays to have a marine band radio on board or to carry a cell phone, in case of accident or breakdown. The National Park Service monitors Channel 16 on the marine band continually.

* WILDLIFE AWARDS: The Nevada Wildlife Federation will honor several local groups and individuals for outstanding achievements in conserving Nevada's natural resources at its banquet Saturday. Among those to be honored are: Ducks Unlimited, the Desert Demonstration Garden, Las Vegas veterinarian George Stoecklin, the Master Gardeners at Red Rock and the Environmental Education of the Friends of Red Rock. The banquet is slated for the Nellis Officers Club and will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25. To reserve one, call the Nevada Wildlife Federation at 253- 0104 or Jeanie Cole at 645-5423.