SANDPOINT — Ambient temperatures are edging up, but Bonner County’s waterways remain cold, according to the sheriff’s office.

Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler is reminding boaters to wear life jackets as lakes in the county see an abnormally high level of activity amid the novel coronavirus shutdown.

“In these conditions, a boater who enters the water would have only about 10 minutes to be rescued or to rescue themselves before losing their ability to swim or tread water,” the sheriff’s office said in post to Facebook on Monday.

According to Frank Golden and Michael Tipton, internationally recognized experts in cold-water survival, water below 60-degrees Fahrenheit is immediately life-threatening. Sudden cold-water immersion makes it difficult, if not impossible, for boaters to keep their heads above water and stay afloat, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Boating fatality statistics have shown that wearing a life jacket gives boaters the best chance of survival in the event of an accident, especially in cold water.

Small vessels such as kayaks, canoes, rafts, row boats, paddle boards, sailing vessels and open motorboats less than 21-feet long are the most vulnerable to capsizing.

Bonner County Sheriff’s Office officials pointed out that spring drownings are often associated with hypothermia and boaters are strongly encouraged to wear life jackets due to the difficulty of finding one and putting it on in a timely manner.

“The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office and EMS have already responded to multiple rescue calls involving kayakers in distress this year so please do your part in helping us avoid a tragedy,” Bonner County Sheriff’s Office officials said in the post to social media.

One of the rescue calls occurred earlier this month, when a kayaker reportedly capsized at Morton Slough while intoxicated.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.