May is National Water Safety Month. As the warm season returns and visitors gather at Lake Berryessa to boat, swim and camp, the Bureau of Reclamation urges everyone to take water safety seriously.
With its stunning views and popular recreational areas, Lake Berryessa is a treasured destination, but it is also a body of water that demands respect.
Preventable drownings claim lives at Lake Berryessa each year. Since the construction of the reservoir in 1957, there have been 350 fatalities, of which 315 are attributed to drownings. Many of these tragedies involve strong swimmers who overestimate their abilities, underestimate the lake's depth and temperature, or simply fail to wear life jackets.
We cannot emphasize this enough: wearing a life jacket can save your life. In over 90% of drowning cases at Lake Berryessa, the victim was not wearing a life jacket.
As part of our commitment to prevent these tragedies, the Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with local law enforcement and safety organizations, has increased outreach efforts to educate the public about safe water practices. We offer free life jacket loaner stations and continue to enforce safety regulations on the water.
But safety starts with you.
Whether you are kayaking near the shore or swimming off a boat, wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is your best defense against an unexpected fall, cramp or current. Alcohol, fatigue and heat can all impair judgment and physical ability, making even familiar waters dangerous.
Nation-wide, drowning is a leading cause of death among children 1 to 4 years of age and the second leading cause of death among 5 to 14-year-olds, according to the CDC. Parents and guardians should keep children within arm's reach, even in shallow water. Never rely on water toys or inflatables as substitutes for life jackets, and never swim alone. At Berryessa, most of our fatalities occur among those between the ages of 15 and 30 -- and there is a noticeable spike in fatalities among young men.
Even the best prepared visitors can encounter trouble, so it is important to know what to see and hear from someone who is drowning. One of the early signs is the swimmer who is failing to make forward progress. They are staring intently toward the shore but don't seem to be moving towards it. After more time passes, the victim may eventually assume a vertical position where they arch their head back so just their lips remain above water. Both these indicators are silent.
You cannot recognize a drowning person by listening, you have to look at them to see the signs. Once you've identified that a member of your group is in trouble, reach, throw, row, don't go.
It's hard for family members to resist diving-in after a loved one. The key is to not offer up your own body as a flotation device to a panicking victim. Twelve of Lake Berryessa's drownings started as attempted rescues. If you are a by-stander to such an event, throw a life jacket, a life ring or even an empty cooler, call for help, and be prepared to give a description of the victim and their location to first responders.
Lake Berryessa is currently 99% full, and we are expecting a busy recreation season at the Lake. Now is the perfect time to speak to your family about their preparedness for a safe summer.
Remember to: wear a life jacket; watch out for each other; and choose safety. We look forward to seeing you alive and well at Lake Berryessa this summer.
Jennifer Onufer, Park Manager
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Berryessa