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Consumer Focus: Water Safety

Water Safety for Water Craft Swimming can be fun, but for some people, water-craft is where the action really is during the summer. You lose some of the exercise, but you gain the feeling of wind grabbing your sails, the river pulling you through the woods, or propellers shooting you across the waves. But, just like we reminded you in the water safety for swimmers focus, always remember that each year between 4,000 and 6,000 people drown in the United States. It is the second leading cause of accidental deaths for persons 15 to 44 years old. Since controlling a water craft compounds the risks and dangers, use the following information to stay safe. General Boating Safety Sailing, Canoeing, Power Boats, and Personal Water Craft Programs that Teach Water Craft Safety Other Resources E-mail this Information to A Friend Other Topics in the Consumer Focus Archive Water Safety For Swimmers Top

General Boating Safety The U.S. Coast Guard and American Red Cross offers the following general suggestions about water safety for boaters: Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any boating activity. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter. Alcohol and boating don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination -- over 50 percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, people should not operate a boat while drinking alcohol. Look for the label: Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for yourself and your passengers when boating and fishing. Develop a float plan. Anytime you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. If the boat is delayed because of an emergency, becomes lost, or encounters other problems, help will reach you. Find a boating course in your area (Red Cross, U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Sailing, etc) -- these courses teach about navigation rules, emergency procedures and the effects of wind, water conditions, and weather. Watch the weather: Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Watch local news programs. Stop boating as soon as you see or hear a storm. Top

Sailing, Canoeing, Power Boats, and Personal Water Craft The sound of water, lapping against the side of your boat, and the feel of the wind filling your sails, blowing gently across your bow, or ripping past you as you motor full speed ahead, can seduce us into forgetting the dangers of boating. So here are a few things to keep in mind before you go out and while you are on the water. Always wear your life jacket. According to the Coast Guard 750 boaters died in 2002 and 85 percent of them weren�t wearing life jackets. Select an area that has good water quality and safe natural conditions. Most recreation areas offer maps and many have websites that allow visitors to check the quality of the water before they visit. Murky water, hidden underwater objects, unexpected drop-offs, and aquatic plant life are hazards. Be sure rafts and docks are in good condition. A well-run open-water facility maintains its rafts and docks in good condition, with no loose boards or exposed nails. Know the Right of Way Rules: Sailboats and manually-powered boats usually have the right of way over motorboats. Motorboats should stay clear of sailboats and manually-powered boats and should not create a wake that may cause them trouble. Sailboats and manually-powered boats must yield right of way when overtaking motorboats and when a motorboat is adrift or at anchor. In overtaking and passing situations, the boat being passed has right of way, and the passing boat is required to stay clear. When meeting another boat head-on, stay to the right. When two boats are crossing paths, the boat on the left must slow down and allow the other boat to pass. On rivers, boats going downstream usually have right of way. Be aware of the types of marine life you may encounter if you go into the water. No one wants to hurt an endangered species like the manatee or come into contact with a dangerous animal. Top

Programs that Teach Water Craft Safety According to the CDC, approximately 70% of reported incidents involve operator errors. The primary causes of incidents are operator inattention, carelessness or recklessness, inexperience, unsafe speeds, and failure of the operator or passenger-�lookout� to identify hazards.� So taking a water safety course is arguably the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves on the water. These classes can last anywhere from a day to multiple weeks, although most boating courses last less than one week. Costs range significantly and can run between tens and hundreds of dollars depending on location and equipment. Fortunately, there are a number of different agencies that offer water safety instruction. Some of them include: American Red Cross Boat Ed Boat Safety Institute of America Boatsafe.com Boat U.S. Foundation Commander Bob's Boating Safety Notebook Healthfinder U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Top

Other Resources This is just a brief overview. For more information, check out these resources: *Websites:** Firstgov.gov Recreation.gov U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary * Names of resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory. If you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible for the content of these websites. Top*

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