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1. Always wear your life jacket when boating or swimming: Life
jackets float -- you don't! Although it's tempting to "go
jacketless," statistics indicate that the decision to do so can be
deadly. Of the total water and boating fatalities, over 80 percent
of the victims were not wearing a life jacket! Moreover, on federal
waters, and in many states, children under a certain age must
wear a life jacket while a vessel is under way, or the operator can
face a fine. 2. Stay well-hydrated and wear sunscreen!
Approximately 30 minutes before you leave for your day in the sun,
be sure to consume two to three glasses of water, and apply
sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15. Maintain
hydration by continuing to drink 4 to 8 ounces every 30 to 60
minutes, and reapply sunscreen every two hours or as needed.
3. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake! Both alcohol and
caffeine can dehydrate the body, making it more susceptible to heat
exhaustion and heat stroke, which is often deadly! If you do drink
alcohol or caffeine, take in an additional 8 ounces of water for
every 8 ounces of alcohol or caffeinated beverage you consume. In
addition, alcohol causes a decreased sense of balance and depth
perception, factors which are necessary for the safe operation of a
vessel, especially in crowded boat launch ramps and marinas, and
when your balance and depth perception are impaired, studies
indicate that you are 10 times more likely to fall overboard!
4. Carry a first-aid kit with you to the beach and on board your
boat! The motto of the U.S. Coast Guard is "Semper Paratus," which
means always prepared. Be sure to carry the essentials (bandages,
gauze, tape, etc), including rubber gloves, which help the person
giving aid avoid blood-borne pathogens. Bring along a basic
first-aid book, and be familiar with procedures to activate the
emergency medical system in the area where you'll be boating or
swimming.
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5. Avoid "teak surfing" and other dangerous practices. Teak
surfing, the practice of holding onto the swim platform of an
inboard or inboard-outboard boat while being dragged slowly though
the water, is extremely dangerous for two reasons: (1) You are
exposed to the odorless, colorless carbon monoxide gases, which can
cause you to lose consciousness and drown; and (2) you run the risk
of losing your grip and getting sucked into the boat's propeller.
Also, avoid swimming underneath houseboats, where carbon monoxide
fumes can accumulate, not only from the boat's engines but from
generators.
The U.S. Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, volunteer component
that assists the active-duty Coast Guard in all of its varied
missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men
and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in
classrooms and on the dock, performing maritime domain awareness
patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an act of
Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and redesignated as the
auxiliary in 1941. Its over 31,000 members donate millions of hours
annually in support of Coast Guard missions.
[U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
news release]
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