Boating Tips

Boating is great outdoor fun and interesting leisure activity, but is also an exercise that requires proper training, navigational skills and experience to make it worthwhile.

Many people get seriously injured and great number of people die every year in boating incidents. Most boating injuries and deaths can be avoided if people learn about boating, respect safety rules and recommendations and know risks involved.

Keep in mind that it's your responsibility to ensure you are well-trained and informed about how to stay safe on the water regardless of what type of boating you enjoy, and what kind of vessel you buy, borrow or rent. So, educate yourself, learn about boating, find out what to expect and risks involved. Also, if you are not good swimmer, try taking some swimming lessons before boating.

Make and Maintain Checklist.
Make and maintain a pre-departure checklist to ensure that no precautions or safety rules have been overlooked. The pre-departure checklist will help you to be prepared for any on-water possibility. For example, it can remind you to keep food and water, a flashlight and first aid items on board with you.

Know Your Vessel.
Know your vessel and its capabilities before leaving. Also make sure that your boat is in good working condition and properly equiped with required safety equipment onboard.

Know How to Fix Minor Problems.
Have your tool box ready with essential smart parts included, and don’t leave without it. Try to educate yourself about your boat and learn how to handle minor technical or mechanical problems while on the water. This will help you to fix minor problems yourself and prevent you from being stuck out on the water for hours before your help arrives.

Prepare Your Float Plan.
Plan your trip and before leaving prepare information about your boat (make, year, name, colour) and outlines about your destination, travel route, expected return time, the names of all the people in your party and instructions in case of emergency. Leave this information with your friends, relatives or neighbours. If you are camping or in the park area, live the information with someone responsible at the camp or park office.

Dress Appropriately.
Dress appropriately to tackle changes in weather conditions. Keep in mind that boating is essentially outdoors exercise, so make sure you are prepared for different situations and weather changes. Dressing in layers is advisable so that you can take off a layer if it gets too warm.

Monitor the Weather.
Weather and water conditions play a big role in your safety on the water. Check weather report, tides and currents. Make sure you get the latest forecast for your area and that you understand what it means before heading out.

Prepare for the Worst Case
Be aware of how changing weather affects boating, and plan accordingly.

Identify Non-swimmers.
Identify non-swimmers and supply them with life jackets that fit. Non-swimmers should wear life jackets all the time while on the water.

Wear a life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD) correctly.
Correctly fitted jacket will let you breathe easy, all buckles must be clipped, and it should be fitted snug to your body. Your life jacket should not be able to be pulled up over your head.

No alcohol or drugs before boating.
Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not a smart idea, because alcohol and drugs affect judgment, vision, balance and coordination. You should know that alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal incidents and is involved in about half of all deaths related to water activity.

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