The waters of Warren County — and all of Pennsylvania — are life-jacket-required zones for the next few months.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission requires life jackets from Nov. 1 through April 30.

Waters are getting colder and that can be very dangerous.

“Boaters are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or on any kayak, canoe, or paddleboard,” Commission Communications Director Mike Parker said.

“The requirement applies to all Pennsylvania waters.”

“Life jackets are the most important piece of equipment to have when enjoying boating activities anytime of the year,” City of Warren Fire Chief Dave Krogler said. “However, especially with the effect of cold-water shock on the body in water temperatures less than 70 degrees, the importance of wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) this time of the year is amplified.”

“Cold water shock causes an involuntary gasp – which often results in aspiration of water, hyperventilation, and a reduced ability to control breathing and swim or self-rescue.”

“A properly worn Coast Guard approved PFD (life jacket) provides those wearing a life jacket when exposed to cold water potentially life-saving advantages such as insulation from the cold, increased buoyancy, and reduced risk of aspiration of water,” Krogler said.

“The interest in boating, especially paddling, in Pennsylvania, has continued to increase over the past several seasons, and people will stay busy on the water well into the fall months,” Ryan Walt, PFBC Boating and Watercraft Safety Manager, said. “Boaters should be aware that water temperatures begin to drop rapidly at this time of year, and even on sunny days when air temperatures are comfortable and warm, the water can be cold enough to put boaters at risk for sudden cold-water immersion. A life jacket can keep your head above water until help arrives.”

“A PFD will provide more buoyancy should an accident occur, which will help put the wearer in a position of increased chance of survivability and provide more time for rescuers to reach a victim,” Krogler said.

The commission suggests the HELP position for those who fall into cold water while wearing a life preserver and cannot get into or onto their boat, or otherwise out of the water. “In the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP), individuals bring their knees to their chest and hug them with their arms,” Parker said.

The commission crafted the seasonal life-vest regulation in response to statistics regarding fatal accidents on the water.

“According to Pennsylvania boating accident reports, nearly 80% of all boating fatalities occurred because boaters were not wearing life jackets,” Parker said. “Prior to this life jacket wear requirement being enacted in 2012, a disproportionate number of deaths happened between November and April. Since then, the Commission has seen a significant drop in the percentage of boating incidents that result in fatalities during the cold weather months.”