BetterBoater.ca | Effects of Alcohol While Paddling (Short)

There is nothing more enjoyable than spending time with family and friends during the summer. And if your get-togethers involve alcohol or cannabis, do you understand the potential risks that are involved with intoxicated boating? You could experience increased confidence, which could lead you to making riskier choices or decisions. This could include behaviours like going out without your lifejacket or going too fast.

Today we are conducting an experiment on the affects of alcohol and cannabis when you are out in a paddle craft. We are going to be using three different goggles, two that represent different blood alcohol counts and one that represents cannabis. And this will be to show the effects when you are paddling under the influence.

Environmental stressors, such as the sun, wind and movement of the waves can affect your judgement, your vision and fine motor skills when you are out on the water. Add in impairment by alcohol or cannabis and the affects can be intensified and increase your risk of serious injury, accidents or death. Your vision could become impaired, affecting your depth perception resulting in you making more “aggressive” movements to avoid colliding with an object or another boater on the water. So ensure you stay safe during your boating adventures and always boat sober.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) 0.08-.15
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) 0.26-.35
Cannabis