The cost of water safety never too high

Last year 22 people were lost in drowning deaths in Ontario, 18 of them were not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or a life jacket.  
In northeastern Ontario alone,  six men drowned, none of them wearing a PFD.  
Some complain that the PFD is too uncomfortable.  The technology of PFD has come a long way, you don’t even notice they are on, until you are in the water fighting for your life.   The common response - I have a life jacket right here in the boat -  just simply doesn’t hold water!  
When an emergency happens you don’t have time to put one on - it’s unexpected and almost impossible to get one on once your in the water, that’s if you can reach your life jacket at all.   Cold water upsets are even deadlier.  
I often hear that the cost of PFD is too expensive. If inflated, recharging costs another $20.
Thousands of dollars are spent on our water sports, but regrettably safety comes at too high a price for some people.
My quick calculation for the cost of fishing may drive the point home - boat and motor $4,000 - $30,000; fishing gear $300 - $1,000; trolling motor $150 - $600;  sunglasses $160 - $300; self-inflating personal flotation device (PFD) $120 - $600.  In the big picture, a PDF is not much of an expense - it’s a cost of doing business that could save your life.
On the flip side, the average cost of a funeral in Ontario $10,000.
Please, this season wear a PFD - your families will thank you.