RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Observing boating and water safety rules saves lives; WRD offers tips for everyone
The U.S. Coast Guard reports that out of a nationwide total of 491 boaters who drowned in 2005, 87 percent of them were not wearing a life jacket. Always remember -- it won't work if you don't wear it. Some tips for both boating and water safety include: l Take a boating safety course and/or a swimming course. l Never swim alone. l If you are a marginal swimmer, wear a flotation device. l Don't mix alcohol or drugs with boating or swimming. l Never let children swim or boat unsupervised. Remember, children under the age of 10 must wear a life jacket while on a moving boat. l Keep life jackets accessible - never make someone feel uncomfortable if they choose to wear a life jacket. l Don't overdo boating and water fun. l Don't swim when you are too tired, too cold, or too far from safety. l Learn and obey the "rules of the road" for boating. l Always be aware of the possibilities of hidden dangers such as under-water obstacles, changing currents and underwater drop-offs. Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. When you findyourself in a stressful situation, don't panic. If in non-flowing water, float or "dog-paddle" to safety. If in flowing water, float with the current - don't fight against it.
For more information on boating safety or how to take a boating safety course, visit www.goboatgeorgia. com or call (770) 918-6408. To learn more about water safety, visit the Red Cross website at www.redcross. org.
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
)
