|
ARTICLES
Boating Safety
Choosing the Right Propeller
The Costs of Boating
Using the Launching Ramp
Picking a Fishing Boat
BOATING SAFETY
Boating is a fun activity. However, it can turn scarry in a moment if you are not careful. Yearly, over 1,000 people die nationwide while participating in boating. The sad truth is, many of these boating incidents are preventable. Much of the following information will be a review, however, taking a few extra moments to refresh your boating safety habits will pay off huge!
FUELING YOUR BOAT
Think and use common sense. Gas has a flash point of -20 degrees F. This means until the temperature reaches 20 below zero the fumes will ignite from a spark. So, turn off all electricity. Do not smoke. Before you start your engine, run your blower. Again, these are common sense. After you are done fueling make sure all fittings are tightly secured. Note: do not fill the tank to capacity, leave some room for the gas to expand and contract in the tank.
FIRE ON BOARD
You never want to have this happen, but be prepared in the event it does. First, if you are driving the boat, stop. The extra wind will feed the fire and will quickly make the situation worse. Radio for help, then turn off all electrical. If you've got a fire from wood or dry items, you can pour water on it. If it is an gas and oil fire, do not pour water - use the fire extginguisher! Aim at the base of the fire.
ALCOHOL
Keep your consumption to a minimum. It's hard with all of the fancy "boat drink" out there, but alcohol makes it hard for your body to keep warm. If you fall overboard you are much less likely to survive. During an accident where you fall overboard, you can become disoriented and may not be able to determine which way is up. Stay calm and watch the bubbles, exhale if you need to, then go the same direction as the bubbles. Just remember, 9 of 10 deaths while boating are due to drowning.
CAPSIZED
If you've capsized, stay calm. Keep everyone together. Stay with the boat if it is safe. If that is not possible, stay as close to the boat as the danger will allow.
Boating is a fun activity and you should have a great time on the waters. Just remember safety first!
Happy boating.
|
