Boating and Water
Safety
A Guide to Water Safety
A child can drown in only 30 seconds, an adult in 60 seconds. Drowning is the leading cause of injury death among children.
The four major causes of drowning are:
1. Not wearing a life jacket
2. Abuse of alcohol
3. Lack of sufficient swimming skills
4. Hypothermia
Each year, more than 3,000 people drown in the U.S. Since most drowning victims had no intention of being in the water, and since most people drown within 10-30 feet of safety, it is important that you and your family learn to swim. It is also important to follow some simple crucial guidelines if you, your family, or your friends are going to be near the water.
Learn these few simple techniques to help someone in trouble and keep yourself safe.
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Reach: To help someone in the water, reach first with a fishing pole, towel, boat oar, but don't get in the water yourself. |
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Throw: Scan your area for items such as an empty milk jug, cooler, or ring buoys that can be thrown to someone in the water. |
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Row: It's not safe to go near a swimmer with the boat motor running. Use the oars to bring the boat close enough to reach or throw. |
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Don't Go: Without expert training and experience in lifesaving techniques, you could put yourself in danger along with the person you are trying to help. |
Tips on Life Jackets
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Wear your life jacket. They float-You don't. |
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Always choose Coast Guard approved life jackets. |
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Children under 13 MUST wear a Coast Guard approved PFD-life jacket |
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Let each child pick out his or her own life jacket to insure they will want to wear them. Kids and adults are more willing to wear a vest that feels and looks good. |
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Make a big deal out of the purchase and buy one for yourself. Some parents insist their kids wear life jackets, but don’t wear one themselves. Remember: demonstrate safety for everyone. |
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Infant and toddler life jackets should roll the child onto his/her back and keep the head above water. The life jacket should have a rounded flotation collar with a grab strap if possible (United States Coast Guard approved TYPE II). |
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Check life jackets for tears, loose buckles and straps, dry rot or mildew. |
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Most all drownings could be prevented if Lifejackets are worn. |
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A snug fit is essential. In addition to checking weight and size requirements, try the life jacket on your child. When picked up by the life jacket shoulders, the child’s chin and ears should not slip through. |
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Bobber, The Water Safety Dog wants kids to know "When you're around water,
make a LIFE JACKET your best friend."
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Swimming Tips
Learn to swim - It's the first step towards water safety.
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Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay afloat. |
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Don't take chances by overestimating your swimming skills. |
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Swim only in designated swimming areas |
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Never swim alone. |
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Never dive into lakes and rivers. Every year in diving accidents more than 8,000 people suffer paralyzing spinal cord injuries and another 5,000 die before they reach the hospital. |
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Remember, it only takes a few seconds for a small child to wander away, so please watch your children at all times. |
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More than half of all the people that drown have consumed alcohol prior to their accident, so don't drink alcohol if you are planning to have fun in or on the water. |
Boating
Safety
Before getting underway
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Take a safe boating course. It's the law! Click here for VADGIF Information. |
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Check the weather forecast |
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Put on your life jacket and leave your alcohol behind |
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File a float plan with a friend. A float plan is a written account of where you plan to launch your boat, approximate time on the water, and who is on the boat. Leave this information with a neighbor or leave a copy in your vehicle. |
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Check your boat for all required safety equipment |
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Check your electrical system and fuel system for gas fumes |
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Follow manufacturer's suggested operational procedures |
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Carry a navigation chart and know your waterway |
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Carry a cellular phone or marine radio tuned to U.S. Coast Guard channel 16 on the boat. |
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Follow the navigation rules of the road, buoys and other aids to navigation |
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Be a safe boater; always post a sharp lookout. |
Just like you always wear a seat belt in the
car, you should automatically associate wearing a Lifejacket with boating.
Flooding
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Determine if you are in a flood-prone area by calling your local emergency management office or Red Cross chapter. |
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Plan and practice an evacuation route. |
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Have disaster supplies on hand, including a battery-operated radio. |
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Designate a point of contact for flood situations in case the family is separated. |
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Avoid driving in flooded areas. |
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If your car stalls, abandon it immediately. If the water exceeds 1/3 the height of your tire, the car is weightless and may be swept away. |
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If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. |
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Find out current weather information for your area. |
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Get involved - talk to your family, talk to your neighbors and volunteer to provide water safety programs with a Corps Park Ranger to groups throughout your community. Our goal is to save lives. |
