If you get your child used to the idea of water safety at an early age, they will have more respect for its power. If your child is too young to comprehend at the moment, watch them at all times. If you have to, don’t let the child leave your side.
Learn the proper way to swim
This is the most important water safetytip of them all. Say the boat you’re on capsizes. The passengers are forced to swim for dry land. What if you can’t swim? You won’t stand a reasonable chance of survival if you haven’t learned even the basic techniques of swimming. Until you learn how to swim, you should stay on dry land.
Don’t overload your vessel
If you overload your boat, it could capsize, creating potential for catastrophe. If you intend to bring a lot of things on your boat, try to factor in its size. If the boat is fairly small, don’t pack unnecessary items. Pack only the basics for your voyage.
Wear a flotation device
Even if you’re an expert swimmer, you should definitely have one at your disposal when you’re on a boat. Incidents have been known to happen where good swimmers drowned because of strong currents, excessively cold water, or rocks (if you hit your head and get knocked out you cannot swim). These devices are even more necessary for swimming beginners or those who can’t swim. You need to make sure that the United States Coast Guard has approved the flotation device.
Don’t drink and drive (or swim)
This is another very important water safetytip. It is very important that you don’t drink or ingest anything that could alter your capacity to either drive the boat or swim in the ocean or pool. If your mind is altered, you will lack proper decision-making skills. There have been many fatalities over the years because of this practice. It’s also a bad idea to go night swimming, even if you’re sober.
Learn CPR
Learning CPR is very important for those who love the water. If someone you know (or a stranger) is in trouble, you may be able to save his or her life. If you are interested, contact the YMCA or any other organization that will provide free CPR classes.
Learn how to operate the devices
While jet skiing, water skiing, and kayaking may look like fun, the injuries sustained from these devices are quite serious. You and your family need to learn how to operate these devices, especially if you have children. Don’t let your eight-year-old operate a jet ski. There are certain age limits on the book that will designate the right time for your child to learn to operate a water-propelled craft.
Know the ocean’s conditions that day
High surf is a good thing for surfers, not necessarily for you. Check out various weather reports to see if the ocean is too rough, still, or cold. Knowledge of water conditions could save your life.
Knowing the basics of water safety is just the beginning. There is plenty of other information you have to learn about the subject, and it’s a subject you can never know too much about.
By Michelle Presbury