Life jackets a safety necessity when boating on cold water

With waterways across the state clearing of ice, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds eager boaters that wearing a life jacket is a critical safety necessity during the spring “cold water” season.

While boaters should always wear life jackets no matter the water temperature or season, public safety officials stress wearing a life jacket — not just having it on the boat — is the one action that significantly increases the chances of surviving a fall into cold water.

“The shock of falling into cold water triggers your gasp reflex, which more than likely means inhaling water,” sa...