Wednesday, October 28, 2015

How to Stay Safe While Boating

If you are planning on going boating, it’s wise to be prepared and plans ahead of time. Know what you can do during emergency situations and do your best to prevent accidents from happening. At the end of the day, the experience will be great if you plan for it accordingly. So here are some tips to help you stay safe when you go on your next boat ride.

Check the weather before you start riding
Weather patterns can tell you when it’s not appropriate to go boating. Avoid water bodies during periods of high tides. Watch out for quick weather changes that may put you in a dangerous situation whenever you choose to go boating. If you are not so sure about the weather and tides, it’s best to postpone the boat ride.

Wear appropriate life jackets
Always wear a life jacket when on a boat. It doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are; a good life jacket will help you to keep your face above the water in the event of an emergency. Make sure the lifejacket is the right size and the straps are tight enough.

Have a reliable means of communicating in case of an emergency
Anything can happen while on a boat ride and that’s why it is important to take all the necessary steps to keep yourself safe until you get help. First, always tell other people where you are planning on going and when you expect to be back. Secondly, carry with you something that you can use to alert others during an emergency such as a whistle, a flare or your mobile phone. If you are using the phone, make sure it’s waterproof and fully charged. However, don’t rely so much on the phone because it may lose signal if you decide to go further away from land.

Attend a boating safety course
This gives you the opportunity to learn about boating safety from the professionals. You can also have your vessel checked by the authorities to ensure it is safe for use. Such causes will cover the basics of identifying signs of danger and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from any danger. You may also need to enroll in CPR training so as to know how to help someone in an emergency situation.   

Avoid alcoholic drinks when boating
Drinking while on your boat ride is not recommended because a lot can go wrong when you are not sober. Some people may even insist on jumping into the water for a swim while drunk and this can be life threatening. Wait until you get back on land to enjoy your drink.

Have an alarm or sensors installed on the boat

They can help to notify you in case of danger such as fumes that are emanating from the engine. When you know the source of danger, it is easy to work towards eliminating it. Sensors or an alarm system on your boat may seem like a costly installation but it may end up saving a life.  

Posted By: Stowaway Marine  http://stowawaymarine.net

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