Since 85% of boating fatalities are the result of not wearing a life jacket, the Canadian Safe Boating Council is hoping people will use their life jackets even while fishing. 

"Depending on the type of life jacket, they can provide a considerable amount of thermal protection," said Ian Gilson, Director with the CSBC. "And the important thing too, here, is if you're wearing a life jacket and you can swim to shore, if you get tired and are unable to swim anymore, at least it'll keep you afloat and keep your airway free, to breathe properly."

"But, if you aren't wearing a life jacket, and you try to swim to shore and you don't make it, well the results are pretty tragic," he warned.

Gilson said that for this reason, life jackets are not just a safety precaution and that life jackets can also help to prevent hypothermia and muscle exhaustion.

Should life jackets be worn at all times?  Gilson said the CSBC is advocating for law changes.

"The law says, basically, there must be one properly-fitting life jacket that's government approved, in good working order for each person onboard the boat," he said, noting that an inflatable life jacket requires you to be a minimum 16 years of age, that you must be wearing it, and that you should not use the inflatable life jackets while doing any motorsports.

"Don't wear it while doing any activity that may knock you unconscious," he said, which includes water-skiing, tubing or while operating a personal watercraft.