Tag Archives: boating
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – U.S.A. – 2011!
By now, most of us are getting ready to celebrate on Monday, our nation’s birthday – July 4th – Independence Day! I want to send greetings to all of you from our home, where the grand old flag will be flying, and wish everyone a safe holiday. (Sorry, the flag looks backwards, but the wind was blowing!)
We have already talked about fireworks, so we’ll give that subject a rest! Many are packing their bags for trips, so let’s talk about travel first. The main thing is to be packed and ready to get an early start, because you know your friendly State troopers will be there, watching to be sure you don’t speed, and that you are safe. If you need assistance, you can count on them, as well, to be of help. Please don’t carry on conversations on your cell phone while driving, and above all, don’t text or drink and drive!
There are many activities that families can plan right at home, and not have to be involved in the hustle and bustle of travel. One of my favorite memories is going to our best friends’ home every Fourth of July for grilled hamburgers and home-made ice cream! Now we live miles away, so we had to stop that tradition; however, we make up for it when we visit each other, which is quite often. Moms and dads can find easy crafts for the kids with some red, white and blue items that they probably can find in the house. Local parks will be full of folks of all ages, with volleyball games, croquet, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and many activities.
If you plan to go boating, be sure to have life jackets in the boat for each passenger. Obey the rules of boating, and do not drink while driving a boat, as the penalty is the same as for driving a car while drinking. Watch for other boaters, swimmers, and those on jet skis. Sometimes everyone thinks they own that particular spot on the water, and it just doesn’t work that way!
Swimmers should be prepared with lots of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat and cover-up when they get out of the water. Stay in pairs, just in case someone gets in water that is too deep. Be sure if you are swimming on a beach or lake to check out the water quality for contamination. There should be signs posted with some type of useful information.
If you are the outdoors type and want to take a hike, be sure you let someone know your plans and when you will be returning. If you need to build a campfire, build it with sticks no larger than an adult wrist. (Of course, first, be sure that you are not in an area where campfires are banned.) Never leave that fire unattended and keep it small. A fire that is not “dead out” can be rekindled by wind and start a wildfire. Keep water handy and a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire in case it gets out of control. Stir the remains and be sure all materials are cooled down. Drown it with water, even move rocks to see there’s no fire beneath them. Feel all materials with bare hands to be sure that no wood is burning before leaving the campsite.
If you are cooking outdoors, beware of bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. Be sure all utensils are clean and that you have a good source of water. Separate raw meat from cooked meat and poultry. Keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Don’t let food set out for more than 1 hour in hot weather. Keep it in an ice chest once the meal is finished.
Have a great Fourth of July, but don’t overdo it when it comes to food, alcohol, sun, or exercise. Take along the proper clothing, suncreeen, insect repellent, and other remedies that will make you feel better tomorrow! Remember why some of us get to be off on this day, and why we observe it. There are young men and women who don’t have the day off, and are in countries where they can’t celebrate the way we do. When you see our flag, think of what it stands for, and the sacrifices they make every day. May God Bless Each One of Them, their families, all of us, and the U.S.A.
LET’S TALK ABOUT SAFETY AND SWIMMING!
New research shows that swimmers may live longer than runners and walkers! Researchers thought that swimmers and runners would have a lower risk of dying, but they were surprised that the swimmers had a statistically significant lower death rate than runners. This serves as an inspiration to hop right into that pool where you can get year-round, low-impact aerobic therapy, or just take a few laps, and hope to live longer! Low-impact exercise in pools doesn’t strain your lower joints as intensely as running and walking. This certainly doesn’t mean to give up your running or walking, but it gives you another reason to jump on into a new method of exercise. Some persons can’t walk or run because of arthritis, so this would be a way for them to get some healthy and fun exercise.
Swimming is such an important activity for young people, and it is very important that children learn to swim. Parents can teach them at a very young age to not be afraid of water, by accompanying them in the pool, and using floaties, tubes, etc. to keep them afloat. Swim lessons are vital to everyone to be able to enjoy boating, and other water activities. Swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to get the physical activity needed for a healthy life, and millions of people enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers, pools, and spas each year. Listed is information from the Centers for Disease Control regarding information about swimming and the risks involved, such as drowning, water-related diseases, and sunburn:
- There are 8.8 million residential and public-use swimming pools in the United States.
- Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of all unintentional injury deaths in children aged 1-14 years and the 7th leading cause of unintentional injury death for all ages.
- Among 0-4 year olds, 69% of drownings for which the location was known occurred in swimming pools. (Many home pools.)
- There are over 6.6 million hot tubs in operation in the United States.
- Sunburn is a risk factor for both basal cell carcinoma and melanoma (types of skin cancer). In 2003, a total of 45,625 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the United States, and 7,818 persons died from the disease . (Please use sunscreen!)
- Over 12 percent (13,532 of 111,487) of pool inspections conducted during 2008 resulted in an immediate closure, pending the correction of the violations.
- A total of 78 recreational water-associated outbreaks affecting 4,412 persons were reported to CDC for 2005-2006, the largest number of outbreaks ever reported in a 2-year period.
- Of 48 recreational-water associated outbreaks of gastroenteritis during 2005-2006, 64.6% were caused by one chlorine-resistant parasite: Cryptosporidium..
- Of 35 gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with treated (for example, chlorinated) recreational water venues, 82.8% were caused by Cryptosporidium .
- Because of its resistance to chlorine, Cryptosporidium (Crypto) has become the leading cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with swimming pool venues. Reporting of cryptosporidiosis cases increased 208 percent from 2004 (3,411) to 2008 (10,500).
- In the United States in 2007, almost 32 million individuals participated in motor or power boat activities .
- In 2006, 3,474 persons were injured and 710 died while boating .
- The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2006 statistics stated that approximately 87 percent of boaters who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
Never leave a child unattended at a swimming pool. Always check that the swimming pool water has been tested for Crypto. Water activities are a lot of fun, but can be dangerous if not taken seriously.
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK – MAY 21 – 27
Many of you who have probably gotten out those dusty boats and launched them already. It’s time for some fun and sun on the water! There’s nothing more fun than going fishing, skiing, or for a leisure ride in a boat. Some of the best memories we have were teaching our kids and their friends to waterski. We even had a life jacket for our Cairn terrier, Willie. A game warden was very surprised to see that little dog wearing it, and commented that in all his years of work, he had seen only one other dog wearing a life jacket. Willie had a bad habit of getting on the bow of the boat and falling in, so all we had to do was pick him up with a dip net to rescue him, while his jacket kept him afloat!
The National Safe Boating Council, Inc. (NSBC) was organized in September of 1958. The NSBC has a current membership of over 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations, all interested in boating safety and education, by promoting Safe Boating Week. I have included a sample pledge card in this article, which is a common-sense agreement regarding the responsibility that you owe yourself and your friends and family any time you operate a boat. If you wish to sign this pledge, you can go to the National Safe Boating Council website. Beginning boaters and experts alike should be familiar with boating safety rules of operation. State boater education requirements vary by state. Be educated, aware and prepared for every circumstance that may arise. The U.S. Coast Guard offers free Vessel Safety Checks. They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the condition of certain safety equipment that is required by State and Federal regulations. They also offer virtual online safety checks as well.
In a previous article, “Before You Make That Big Splash,” shares other information about boating, including the five types of life jackets (PFD’s) – personal flotation devices. There are many other resources that one should check out before taking off in that new boat. Safety is the big thing when it comes to operating a boat. Many lives are in the hands of the driver, the same as a vehicle on the road. And don’t be surprised when a local game warden checks your boat out to ensure that there are plenty of life jackets and other required equipment onboard.
Regardless of where you are boating – in fresh or salt water, on a river or a lake, the one common point throughout this article is the importance of wearing a life jacket. In about 80% of all fatal boating accidents, the cause of death is drowning. In 90% of those drownings, the person wasn’t wearing a life jacket. Each person on your boat should have a life jacket on; it won’t help if it’s under the seat when they fall in. Life jackets are not as bulky as in the past; there are many styles that are comfortable and easy to put on. It may be hot, but it sure beats the risk of drowning. Accidents have been known to happen to good swimmers. If Willie wore his, you can, too!
Check the weather conditions before starting your boating trip. If the water becomes rough, get to the shore as soon as possible. Be sure you have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit on your boat. It is also a good idea to have a second person that knows how to operate your boat, just in case. The most important part of boating safety is using common sense. Operate at a safe speed, stay clear of large vessels, and be respectful of other boaters. Staying safe in a boat (everyone) is accomplished when drinking alcohol is saved for later (on land). Chances of being involved in a boating accident are doubled when alcohol is involved.
Here is a sample of the National Safe Boating Council pledge card:
| I, pledge to boat safely each and every time I go out on the water, keeping myself, my family, my friends and fellow boaters from harm’s way. I will always boat responsibly by (please check each line) | |||||
| Wearing my life jacket and ensuring that everyone on board wears their life jacket (when in a small boat, or operating in rough water or threatening weather conditions)___ | |||||
| Remaining sober and alert – remembering that the use of alcohol contributes to accidents on the water___ | |||||
| Staying in control of my craft and respecting the right of others enjoying the waterways___ | |||||
| Knowing and obeying navigation rules, operating at a safe speed and maintaining a proper lookout___ | |||||
| |||||
|
| |||||
Please make the decision to honor the rules of boating safety for yourself, family, and friends.
Sources: NSBC, discoverboating.com
WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
You know the saying “Hindsight is 20-20”; we always think of things that might have made a difference after the fact. Recently, a young man drowned in a local lake after falling from a boat and getting hit by a wake board. After searching for several hours, his body was located, and he was not wearing a life jacket. (One of the rescue workers said they had never pulled anyone out of this particular lake that was wearing a life jacket.) Without knowing exactly what caused this terrible accident, this tragedy should be a wake up call for all of us to take safety precautions on the water more seriously.
Children must wear life jackets! Most state laws require that every other person onboard should have access to a life jacket. So, that’s normally the way it goes: the life jacket is on the floor beneath the person, or somewhere within reach. But if the jacket is not being worn, how is it going to help? Even if we are strong swimmers, there could be circumstances that cause us to be rendered unconscious if we fell out of a boat. A rescue worker commented that even though wearing a life jacket is uncomfortable, it’s well worth the inconvenience when it saves someone’s life.
Just a month ago, we posted a boating article which ended with this:
“Things to remember: (1) Wear life jackets – they save lives! (2) Have that designated driver! (3) Have a safe boat – it can save your life! (4) Be sure to take along sunscreen, and (5) have a first aid kit on your boat.”
So, YES, there are many things that can make a difference when it comes to water safety:
- WEAR A LIFE JACKET!
- DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE A BOAT!
- PAY ATTENTION TO ALL PASSENGERS
- LAKE WATER AND BOOZE JUST DON’T MIX!
- DON’T DRIVE BOATS NEAR SWIMMING AREAS
- COURTESY SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO AND BY JET-SKIERS
We have several more weeks of warm weather and there’s nothing more fun than going to the lake to do some skiing, fishing, camping, and just having all-around fun. Hundreds of people will be heading to lakes to celebrate the Labor Day holiday. Don’t let the dog days of summer end in tragedy by disregarding safe practices around water.