Which conditions were present in over 80% of paddling fatalities from 1995 to 2000?

The data indicating that over 80% of paddling fatalities from 1995 to 2000 involved victims who were not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) underscores the critical importance of safety gear while on the water. A PFD is designed to provide buoyancy and significantly increase the chance of survival in the event of an accident, such as capsizing or falling overboard.

Statistics consistently show that individuals who wear PFDs are much more likely to survive accidents on the water. Given this context, the high percentage of fatalities among those not wearing PFDs illustrates the direct correlation between safety equipment usage and survival rates in paddling scenarios.

While factors such as age, weather conditions, and the act of capsizing may contribute to incidents on the water, the immediate and preventable risk factor remains the lack of appropriate personal flotation devices, which is essential for ensuring safety during paddling activities.