Be Smart and Safe on the Water
by Celeste Izon
For land mammals, we humans sure love our time on the water. People migrate to northern lakes in the summer, and southern beaches in the winter. Any time of year, a vacation just isn't the same without spending some time on the water.
Boating provides fun and exhilarating sport, and it can be a relaxing hobby. Whether you're speeding along with the surf slapping wildly at the helm, or floating lazily on an inflatable raft, the water provides a beautiful and fascinating place to set yourself free. Water can be fun, and relaxing, but it also commands your utmost respect. Water sports can be extremely dangerous, and practicing boat safety is paramount.
Floatation Devices
Every wise boater prepares for the unexpected. A quick turn to the weather can bring on choppy conditions, high waves and hard rains. Even the most experienced boaters can find the adventures cut short when the weather causes capsize or collision. No one is invincible, particularly where nature is concerned. Everyone who is present on a boat, including the strongest swimmers, must wear a floatation device. Small and young children are at the biggest risk of drowning or injury. Wearing a floatation device isn't only smart, but it's the law in many places. Some states and provinces have regulations in place that require everyone on board to wear a floatation device.
Stay on Your Safety Course
Whether you're a nautical novice or an experience boater, it's a good idea to take a boating safety course. Free courses are available in many areas, and lessons can be completed in just a day or two. Sign yourself up, and your entire family. No child is too young to appreciate the dangers of the water, and learn how to stay safe. Check online if you have trouble finding a boating course. The Internet can be the best way to find information on available programs.
Boats and Booze Don't Mix
Operating watercraft takes keen sense and, sometimes, rapid reflexes. Using drugs or alcohol will impair your judgment and slow your reflexes. Even prescription drugs can take a dangerous toll on your boat safety. In most areas, the impairment laws imposed upon automobile drivers affect watercraft drivers in the same capacity. Your craft and someone's life can be at stake if you use alcohol or drugs on the water.
Be a Good Judge
Boat safety is ultimately about sensibility. Be aware of the extent of your abilities. Know whether you can make intelligent, split-second decisions. What will you do if another boat suddenly veers toward you? How will you help a buddy that falls from his water skis and disappears from your line of sight? It can happen, and you'll need to have the common sense to make the right decision. Know your options and you'll be better prepared.
Respect Rules
Respect is as important on the water as it is on the highway. Be cautious of other boaters, and respect their right to share the waters. Make sure that other boaters can see you, particularly at night. Maintain the water speed limit and follow the existing rules of the waterway. Have respect for your passengers, and yourself, as well. Showing off on the water won't impress anyone.
Care for Your Craft
A well-maintained boat is a safe boat. Know how to maintain your boat and fix it in the event of breakdown or collision on the water. Check the boat and motor often to ensure that everything is in good working order. Keep a maintenance record of your boat, just as you do for your car.
Whether you love to cruise in a kayak or hit the waves on a wakeboard, the water can be a great way to cut loose and relax. Just make sure to respect the potential dangers of the water, and always make safety your first priority.
Author Celeste Izon loves writing for several web sites, on recreation and sports instruction themes. Click here to get your own unique version of this article.
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