Millerton Lake authorities preach safety after teen drowning

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- After the drowning of a 19-year-old at Millerton Lake park rangers are reminding people of the importance of taking safety precautions.

Camryn Molinari and her god-children huddled in front of the car before making the trek back home. They're leaving with life vests, something Molinari says she made sure to bring with them.

"It definitely was more of a topic on the boat today, make sure their vests are on and make sure they're on when they go out on the boards," Molinari said.

Her god-daughter Edie, 6, knows how wearing a vest can help save your life.

"Because if not, you'll drown," she said.

That's the type of call first responders responded to at the lake Saturday when a teen went missing while trying to make his way back from this island, according to witnesses.

After a 45-minute search and rescue, Cal Fire's dive team found him. He was taken to Saint Agnes Medical Center where he later died.

Park Ranger Steve Barber says for folks planning on getting into the water, knowing how to swim is critical.

"The probability of a water-related fatality injury drops by 88 percent," Barber explained. "So, it's a significant increase to your ability to be safe in the water if you know how to swim."

Another tip is to avoid swimming alone.

"Always swim with a friend or with a lifeguard," he said. "Those things will always keep you safe when you're in the water."

Barber also stresses the importance of not being under the influence while in the water.

"If you're under the influence or had any alcohol while in the water there two things that are going to happen are you're going to have a false sense of confidence and you're going to lose control of your faculties," Barber explained. "So, those two things as a combination are going to spell trouble for you if you're under the water."