Play It Safe In the Water

Play It Safe Out In the Water

Enjoying boating and other water sports is a good way to have an exciting summer season. However, failure to follow water safety guidelines can lead to injuries to participants, and damage to equipment. Before you go into the water, you need to know the basic principles for boat and water safety to make sure that you and your family have a great time, and stay safe.

Swimming

The primary rule here is to know how to swim. You can take swimming lessons at local swimming pools or community centers, YMCAs, or private facilities. This link will provide you with locations of YMCA aquatic programs. Before you get in the water, whether it is a pool, or a natural setting such as a river, lake, or ocean, make sure that you are wearing the proper swimming attire needed, i.e., bathing suit, goggles, wetsuit, cap, personal flotation device (PFD). When you go out to swim, remember that swimming in a pool is very different from swimming in open water. In open water, there are current and tide issues that you need to be prepared for, particularly if you are an inexperienced swimmer.

To lessen the potential for problems, you should have a swimming buddy – someone who is enjoying the sport with you. And at beaches, especially if you are new to the sport, it’s even better to swim in locations that have a lifeguard on duty. A lifeguard can give you safety instructions, current weather conditions, and let you know of any hazardous situations in that area.

Also, check the signs posted in the area to see whether you are swimming in a designated location. It’s not uncommon at lakes and oceans to see swimmers cross into areas where boaters are leaving or coming back to shore or the dock. So be aware of activity in that area.
Know the depth of the water before you get in, particularly close to the shoreline. You expect deeper water farther out, but many people don’t expect drop-offs close to shore.

If weather conditions turn for the worse while you are swimming, leave the water and seek shelter immediately. Be prepared to signal for help if needed, but never pretend to be drowning, or interfere with anyone else swimming; you don’t know the level of their swimming skills, and want to avoid creating a hazardous situation for anyone else in the water.

Fishing

Fishing isn't a dangerous sport; however, you should still prepare to be safe and comfortable in the water. It is possible to get caught in bad weather, strong currents, encounter insects, get sunburned, fall overboard from the boat, and/or slip in from the shore. Have emergency gear and supplies on hand, and know how to use them.

Be aware of the area around you, whether you are fishing from shore, or from a boat. Avoid fishing from rocky or slippery areas – if you hook a big one, you could slide right in! Let someone else know where you are going to be. As in boating, give someone an idea of your intended location so they can find you if a problem occurs. Have a cell phone with you so you can call for assistance, and provide your location, since it may change as you are looking for a good fishing spot. Be sure to pay attention to any warning signs posted in the area.

When fishing, you also need to be aware of the effects of hypothermia. If the water in the area is cold, continued exposure can contribute to exhaustion or loss of consciousness. It would be prudent to wear rubber waders and get out of the water periodically to allow your body to warm up.

Boating

Boating can be a lot of fun, whether you are riding on a boat, or skiing or tubing behind the boat. Again, the basic rule is to make sure everyone on board wears a PFD (personal flotation device) or life jacket. Have emergency supplies and accessories on board, such as extra life jackets, cell phone or radio, fire extinguisher, flares, first aid kit, equipment repair manual and tool kit. And if you are going to be out for the day, file a float plan so others know where you are planning to go; an example of a float plan is provided through the US Coast Guard.

A PFD is especially important for anyone skiing or riding on a towable tube, just in case the rider(s) should fall. And with tubing, it’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for capacity in terms of size and weight, number of riders, age limits, tow rope, and maximum boating speed. Airhead inner tubes, manufactured by Kwik Tek, are one brand that provides a wide range of boat towables that you can choose from.

While enjoying a day of boating, the driver should be alert, sober, and have a solid grasp of boating rules and regulations. When out on the water, remember to be respectful of other boaters as well as to keep your distance from them. You should also keep an eye out for additional water hazards such as rocks, docks, and buoys. Follow the navigation rules for that particular natural body of water. And only go in areas that are navigable, and designated for access.

Guidelines that apply to any water activity include:

Check Weather Conditions

Check the weather forecast before setting out. Don’t go out when there are chances of a bad weather, such as heavy rain or thunderstorms. Be on the lookout for any changes, and bring all water craft ashore when rough weather threatens. Once safe on shore, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming activities, after the last incidence of thunder or lightning. The National Weather Service provides local information at this site.

Be Sun Smart

Unfortunately, boating and water sports not only expose you to direct ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun, but also reflected UVR from the water. This increases the risk of developing sunburns, skin cancer and severe eye conditions. If you can, avoid peak sun hours of the day, i.e. between 11am and 3pm. Wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeve shirt and trousers with a hat and sunglasses. You can even wear swim suits and swimwear that have built in sun protection. Most importantly, wear sunscreen, and re-apply as directed.

Other Recommendations

Be aware of other circumstances that can occur when you are in or out on the water, such as heat exhaustion, dehydration, hypothermia, common injuries, equipment damage, fast moving water, or currents. Before participating in any of water sports, be sure you know how to respond to any of these conditions. And always keep a close watch on children near or in the water, even if they are wearing personal flotation devices or know how to swim.

About the Author

Jane Warren is a boating and water sports enthusiast. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, but spends most of the fall and winter seasons in Florida and Grand Cayman. During that time, she and her husband, Jim, enjoy spending time on the water: boating, swimming, skiing, scuba diving, or tubing. They always have lots of friends and family who visit during the season, and everyone is ready to get out on the beach and spend the day in the sun and warm ocean water.

Jane is particularly concerned about people understanding the importance of water safety, and using common sense when around the water. Her family suffered the loss of a family member who drowned in a boating accident. She spends a lot of time around natural bodies of water and understands the value of knowing safety guidelines and taking precautions whenever boating and participating in water sport activities.

She is also the publisher of towabletubesdirect.com. This website provides information on quality towable tube products, such as the Kwik Tek Airhead slice tube. As always, it’s important to research any water sport product, and be aware of the specifications, and accessories, that contribute to the safety and enjoyment of the sport.