The U.S. Coastguard and National Association of State Boating law administrators have launched a campaign that is the largest water safety initiative of its kind in the nation’s history to promote safe boating.  This campaign is designed to reach more than 80 million boaters around the country to raise the awareness of boating safety and prevent you or your friends from becoming one of the 700 people each year that die in boating-related accidents---9 out of 10 of which were not wearing a lifejacket!

  A survey of over 600 sixth graders in a Pennsylvania school was conducted by a teacher who was starting a unit on boating safety.  Eighty-six percent of the students reported that they go boating and only seven percent of the students reported that they have taken a boating lesson.  Fifty percent of the students reported that they have never worn a lifejacket and eighteen percent of the students admitted to being fearful in water deeper than their standing height.  Our children learn especially well by example or by being involved in an activity.  Teach them the importance of wearing a lifejacket and how to properly fit the jacket to themselves or to a friend.  Lifejackets are personal floatation devices (PFD) and they come in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes and materials.  Some are much more rugged and last longer than others.  Select a PFD based on your planned activities and the water conditions you expect to encounter.  Some PFD’s are inflatable by a replaceable C02 gas cylinder or by blowing into an oral inflation tube.  Generally, there are two types of inflation systems being offered; one which requires the user to jerk on a lanyard (pull tab) to inflate the PFD and the second inflation system is called manual-auto inflation which includes a back-up system designed to automatically inflate when the PFD is submerged.  If you will be boating this summer it is important that you and those with you understand how to properly operate their PFD.  In the event of an accident there will be no time to explain.

  Since 1987 the numbers of personal water crafts (jet skis, wet bikes, ski-doo’s) have increased from 92,000 to over 900,000.  Of course, with this ten-fold increase there has also been an unfortunate increase in the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities associated with personal watercraft.  Many of these accidents have been associated with operators aged less than 16 and “tunnel vision” syndrome when the driver fails to look around before turning or through “off-throttle steering” accidents which result when the driver attempts to turn the craft without throttling.

 
When operating a personal watercraft or boating this summer keep the following safe boating tips in mind.

·        Always wear a PFD as it is the law!

·        Wear proper riding gear (wetsuits, goggles, sunglasses, gloves, deck shoes).  Wetsuits help to protect against abrasions, hypothermia and injuries to the rectum and vagina from high velocity impact with the water’s surface. 

·        Always wear a small mouth-operated whistle.

·        Operators and passengers should keep all limbs well within the confines of the vehicle and if you are riding a personal watercraft keep both feet on the footrest floor.

·        Make sure an approved fire extinguisher is aboard and in proper working order.

·        If you are riding a personal watercraft always attach the stop lanyard to your wrist or PFD.

·        Never operate a personal watercraft or boat in less than two feet of water.

·        Never go out alone---always use the buddy system. 

·        When operating a boat after sunset or before sunrise be certain that all light indicators are functional and on.  Never operate a personal watercraft during these hours.

·        Never operate a personal watercraft or boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Over half of all boating related accidents and fatalities are alcohol related.

If you are involved in a boating accident involving $500 or more in property damage you are required by law to report this to the proper local law enforcement authorities.  If an accident requires medication attention or a fatality occurs, a formal written report must be filed within 48 hours to the proper authority.

  “Boat smart from the start---wear your lifejacket.”