Boating Safety - It's For Everyone
James "Doc" Lewis
Boating, when a few simple rules are followed, is one of the
safest family activities there is. U.S. statistics show boating
is twice as safe as biking, five times as safe as driving a car,
and 24 times as safe as scuba diving. By practicing safe boating,
you will provide a wonderful pastime for yourselves and give your
children a love of the water that will last them a lifetime.
So What Goes Wrong?
Having made such a sweeping endorsement of the relative safety of
boating, how do we explain the glaring headlines which we find in
the press on an all to regular basis?
Fortunately, for you and me, there are numerous public agencies
which spend a lot of time and money doing the research and
compiling data. After researching their findings it becomes
obvious that a little preparation and planning can all but
eliminate the risks.
Some Pertinent Facts:
The most common accident to passengers and crew is falling
overboard. According to the statistics over 40% of all fatal
boating accidents start this way. It can be avoided if boaters
make sure they have good footing and a good hand-hold at all
times. An, age-old, seafaring reminder, which I first heard in
the Coast Guard, goes like this. "One hand for the ship, one hand
for the sailor."
Children should never be allowed to move about on an underway
boat. If you need to move around on the boat, for any reason,
reduce speed and make sure to get and keep a grip with at least
one hand.
Alcohol and water don't mix. In a Red Cross study, two-thirds of
boating injury victims had consumed alcohol. Almost 40% had an
alcohol level above the legal limit. Besides being illegal, it's
dangerous to operate any kind of machinery while drinking. A boat
is no exception.
35% of boating accidents were directly attributable to alcohol
use and the overwhelming primary cause of fatalities was
alcohol-related. If you drink and boat, you are more likely to be
involved in an accident, and once involved, more likely to die.
53% of fatal boating accident victims drowned, while 39% suffered
trauma and 9% died of other causes.
What About All Those Drownings?
A recent Red Cross study noted 92% of boating-related drowning
victims were either not wearing a PFD or life jacket or were
wearing one incorrectly.
The US Coast Guard is even more to the point, stating that of the
519 boaters who drowned in the year 2000, life jackets could have
saved the lives of approximately 445 of those boaters who
drowned. In 2000, approximately eight out of every ten victims in
fatal boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.
Always carry enough Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for each
person on board, and make sure that each of them knows where they
are and how to use them. It's your responsibility, Captain. No
one, least of all yourself, wants to hear that you thought they
knew how to put on a PFD. If anyone won't prove their knowledge
of the devise, or buddy up with someone to teach them, leave them
ashore. You'll both be better off.
Children and non-swimmers should wear one at all times that the
boat is underway. For water-skiing, fishing, or simply cruising,
PFDs are absolutely essential. It's now even easier to find the
ideal PFD because they're available in a wide array of sizes,
colors and patterns. You can now choose one in your favorite
color, or to match your swimsuit or boat. Just make sure it fits
properly!
Does boating education help in preventing accidents?
I can't stress this point enough.
A recent Florida study brought out these interesting facts.
72% of operators involved in boating accidents had no formal
instruction in the operation of a boat.
2.5 times as many accidents involve boaters who have had no
boating safety instruction.
Boating is a wonderful pastime, and lots of fun but, there are a
few things, that one needs to know, in order for it to be a safe
pastime. And don't worry about looking silly, I've been around
boats all my life, (53 years) and hardly a day goes by that I
don't learn something new or discover a new and better way of
doing something.
Two years ago I took a boating safety course with the idea that,
with all my experience, I might be of help to some of the new
people. Fact is, there were so many things I didn't know, or had
forgotten, that I spent a good deal of time just asking
questions. When the class was over, several of the students came
up and thanked me for asking all the questions they weren't sure
how to ask. Guess I was a help to the new people, after all, just
not in the way I figured.
Weather you are an old "salt", with years of boating experience,
or a "lubber", who gets lost in the bathtub, do yourself and your
loved ones a favor and take an approved boating safety course.
The time to think through, and plan for a journey in a strange
environment, is before you make the trip.
Safety Tips
To prevent ending up in the emergency department as a result of
carelessness during your next boating trip, the American College
of Emergency Physicians recommends the following safety tips:
Tell someone when you're going, who is with you and how long
you'll be away. Then check your boat, equipment, boat balance,
engine and fuel supply before leaving.
Before starting your engine, open hatches, run blower, and most
importantly, carefully sniff for gasoline fumes in the fuel and
engine areas.
When changing seats, stay low and near center line of a small
boat.
Always carry life jackets and first aid equipment.
Watch the weather. Sudden wind shifts, light flashes and choppy
water can mean a storm is brewing.
If you will be fishing, keep fishing and hunting gear clean and
well packed. A loose fish hook can cause a lot of pain and ruin a
great outing. Bring an extra length of line to secure boat and
equipment.
Never drink alcoholic beverages on a boat. Being "tipsy" can
result in falling overboard. Your ability to swim to safety or
call for help is greatly reduced as alcohol slows reactions.
So There You Have It
To learn more about safe boating, I'd like to suggest these
Online sources of information. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the U.S.
Power Squadrons. Our sister-site, Ask-BoatCat.com offers more
tips on boating safety and a complete page of links to Boating
Safety related websites on the Internet.
May all of your boating adventures be joyous and happy ones,
unblemished by the blight of accident or injury.
James "Doc" Lewis has been "messin about in boats" for as long as
he can remember. He is owner/operator of BoatDocs1, a
full-service boat detailing-yacht maintenance company serving the
Emerald Coast region of Florida. To learn more about boats and
keeping them looking their best visit his web site at:
http://www.boatdocs1.com/
©2004 BoatDocs1
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