Warm the victim gradually by wrapping him or her in blankets or putting on dry clothing and moving into a warm environment. If several persons are in the water, huddle together so you can conserve heat and stay alive.Ĭare involves getting the victim out of the wet clothes. When you wear a life jacket, draw knees up into a H. A life jacket helps in two ways: it reduces the need to move, and it helps insulate against heat loss. If you fall into cold water, DO NOT discard clothing it will help trap heat. Do this by staying dry and avoiding the wind. Defense against hypothermia is to avoid exposure to cold. Hypothermia- Here's How To Fight This KillerĮxposure causes loss of body heat. Do not giveįluids if victim is unconscious. Person lying down and prevent loss of body heat. Get medical assistance.Ĭlammy skin, irregular breathing, fast, weak pulse. Do not re-expose burned area to sun until completely Fever and shock occasionally accompanyĬold water. SkinĢnd - (partial-thickness), involves both the layers of skin.ģrd - (full-thickness), involves both layers of skin and underlying (superficial), involves only the top layer of skin. Swelling, deformity, discoloration and possible bleedingīroken bone ends and adjacent joints from moving treat for Actually, a drunk person whose head is immersed can be confused and swim down to death instead of up to safety. So within minutes you may not be able to call for help, or swim to safety. Alcohol also reduces your body's ability to protect against cold water. When you're "tipsy", you're much more likely to fall overboard. As the chart shows, sometimes just a couple of beers are too many. Adding alcohol to this sun exposure intensifies the effects. This slows reactions almost as much as being legally drunk. Don't load heavy gear to one side.įour hours of exposure to powerboat noise, vibration, sun, glare, wind and motion produces a kind of "boater's hypnosis". Waves, or wakes from passing boats, can easily swamp a small boat with low freeboard. As you load, look at how much distance there is between the water and the top edge of your boat (freeboard). If the boat is small, step as near the centerline as possible, and stay low in the boat. Don't wind up straddling from dock to boat. On boats with no capacity plate, use the formula in the sketch at right to determine the maximum number of persons you can carry.īe sure the dock lines are tied securely before you put gear aboard or go aboard yourself. Don't overload it or put an oversize motor on it. The distress flag and light must carry the manufacturer's certification that they meet Coast Guard requirements.īe sure you know your boat's capacity. All signals, except for the distress flag and light, must show the words "Coast Guard Approved" and be marked with the service life of the signal. This illustrates the variety and combinations of distress signals which can be carried in order to meet Coast Guard requirements (the arm signals are shown for information only - they are an internationally recognized sign of distress, but are not "required distress signals"). Use anchor lengthĪt least five times longer than water depth. Use your radio to discuss this with the passing boat. Steady speed so that the overtaking vessel can pass you safely. Right of way) stay on your side of the channel and maintain a Be ready for trouble when a powerboat passes.When changing seats, stay low and near center.Keep fishing and hunting gear clean and well packed.Ī loose fish hook can cause a lot of pain and ruin a great outing.īring an extra length of line to secure boat or equipment. Wear several layers of lightĬlothing bring rainproof covering. Open hatches, run blower,Īnd most important, carefully sniff for gasoline fumes in theįuel and engine areas before starting your engine. Then check your boat, equipment,īoat balance, engine and fuel supply before leaving. Tell someone where you're going, who is with.To be protected in a watertight pouch or a container that floats. Tan lotion, first aid kit, extra sunglasses. A flashlight,Įxtra batteries, matches, a map of where you are, flares, sun Lightning flashes and choppy water all can mean a storm is brewing.īring a portable radio to regularly check weather reports. More die from falling off boats 16 feet and smaller than larger boats, and most boats are anchored at the time. People who hunt or fish from boats have one of the highest boat fatality rates. No matter how many years you've been around boats, please take just five minutes to scan this quick reading booklet. Federal Law Says You Must Have This Aboard.Life Jackets (PFDs) - The Choice Is Yours.
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