Hey, TJ here from Port Colborne. I've spent more hours on Lake Erie than I can count. And over the years I've learned — sometimes the hard way — what these beautiful lakes can dish out. Today I want to talk about something that doesn't get enough attention: cold water.
The air is 20°C. The sun's out. Perfect day. But the water? In May, Lake Erie sits at 8-12°C. Lake Ontario at 6-10°C. Georgian Bay at 5-9°C. That's cold enough to kill you in minutes. It doesn't matter how good a swimmer you are.
Most drowning victims were experienced swimmers. They had PFDs on board — just not on their body. Cold water doesn't care about your swimming ability. It shuts your body down before you can react.
The 1-10-1 Rule — Memorize This
This is the single most important thing you'll learn about cold water. Three numbers that describe exactly how your body fails.
Ontario Lake Temperatures — The Reality
People dress for the air. They should dress for the water. Here's what our lakes actually feel like:
| Lake | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Erie | 8-12°C | 15-20°C | 20-24°C | 22-25°C | 18-22°C | 10-15°C |
| Lake Ontario | 6-10°C | 10-15°C | 18-22°C | 20-23°C | 16-20°C | 10-14°C |
| Georgian Bay | 5-9°C | 9-14°C | 16-20°C | 18-21°C | 14-18°C | 8-12°C |
■ Red = hypothermia danger zone ■ Yellow = cold incapacitation risk ■ Green = lower risk (PFD still required)
The air is warm. You feel comfortable. But the water is still lethal. May and October kill more boaters than any winter month because people don't expect it. You dress for the air, not the water. One slip off the boat and you're in 8°C water in a t-shirt.
Why Strong Swimmers Drown
This is the part that haunts me. Strong swimmers drown in cold water because swimming ability is irrelevant once cold shock hits. Here's the sequence:
- You fall in. Cold shock — involuntary gasp. If your head's under, you inhale water.
- You survive the gasp. Now you're hyperventilating. Can't catch your breath. Panic sets in.
- You try to swim. But within 10 minutes, your arms and legs stop responding. Muscles shut down.
- Without a PFD keeping your head above water, you slip under. Your swimming ability never had a chance.
This is why wearing your PFD — not just having it on board — is the difference between life and death in cold water. The Small Vessel Regulations (SOR/2010-91) require a PFD for every person on board. But the regulations won't save you if it's under the seat when you go overboard.
What to Wear on Cold Water
- PFD — worn, not stored. Bright colour. Properly fitted. Zipped up.
- Layered clothing — wool or synthetic base layers. Cotton kills (it holds cold water against your skin).
- Dry suit or float coat — for serious cold water boating. Keeps water out entirely.
- Whistle attached to PFD — you won't be able to yell for long in cold water.
- Waterproof phone case — your phone is your last resort for calling 911.
If You Fall In — Survival Steps
- Don't panic. Easier said than done. Focus on controlling your breathing for the first 60 seconds.
- Keep your head above water. If you're wearing a PFD, let it do the work. Stop fighting.
- Don't try to swim unless shore or your boat is within arm's reach. Swimming accelerates heat loss.
- HELP position. Heat Escape Lessening Posture — pull your knees to your chest, cross your arms. This slows heat loss from your core.
- If with others, huddle. Group hug position in the water preserves heat.
- Signal for help. Whistle. Wave one arm. Conserve energy.
Regulations You Should Know
- One approved PFD or lifejacket per person — appropriate size
- PFDs must be readily accessible (not in locked compartments)
- PWC operators and passengers must wear PFDs at all times
- Anyone being towed (tubing, skiing) must wear a PFD
- Children should always wear PFDs on deck (Transport Canada strongly recommends)
108 Deaths Per Year. Don't Be One.
According to the Lifesaving Society's 2023 Ontario Drowning Report, 108 people drowned in Ontario in 2022. The 10-year average is 120 per year. Adults aged 20-64 account for 63% of all drownings. And 43% of adult boating drowning victims had consumed alcohol.
These aren't statistics. They're sons, daughters, parents, friends. Every single one of them went out on the water expecting to come home. Most of them were within sight of shore. Most of them were strong swimmers. Most of them had PFDs on their boat.
They just weren't wearing them.
Wear your PFD. Every time. Every trip. No exceptions. It's the simplest thing you can do, and it's the one thing that separates the survivors from the statistics. Spring, fall, or summer — if you're on Ontario water, wear it.