This is the weekend when a lot of recreational boaters flock to the water but experts in the field urge people to take all the necessary precautions.

Each year in Canada, 100 people die in boating accidents.

This is National Safe Boating Week. Whether you’re a seasoned boater or a beginner, it might be a good idea to talk about how to keep you and your family safe while out on the water.

Melissa McGrath, a boating safety officer with Transport Canada, says the most important thing to remember is to wear your lifejacket or personal flotation device. She notes that the equipment saves lives but they only work if you wear them.

If you do end up in the water, it’s not uncommon to lose your breath briefly and end up hyperventilating. A flotation device will give you the time one needs until normal function returns.

McGrath says having the right equipment and knowing how to use it is of the utmost importance.

She says to make sure you have enough fuel for the trip, know the limitations of your vessel, and let somebody know where you’re going and when you expect to return.