OHP Sees Increase In Number Of Drownings This Year

According to OHP, drownings in our state are up more than three times compared to this time last year.

So far in 2020, OHP has responded to 44 drownings and many of those were at popular swimming spots across the state.

Trooper Amy Cobalt has spent over two decades patrolling Oklahoma’s water. She said this year drownings have become a major concern and responding hasn’t gotten any easier.

“I do put myself in their families shoes and realize that they just lost a loved one forever,” said Cobalt. “That is just heart breaking. A lot of our incidents are preventable.”

Troopers stress wearing life jackets and keeping an eye on weather, children and how much you've had to drink.

OHP offers free 6-hour boating safety classes that can be done anywhere in the state. Troopers will give lessons to groups of 5 or more.

Boating safety classes can also be taken online through Boat-Ed.