Page 42 - ISLAND STYLE MAGAZINE

10 TIPS

FOR SAFETY

WATER SPORTS

TEN TIPS FOR SAFETY

1. You should know how to swim if you want to fully been wearing life jackets. Make sure that the life jacket fits
enjoy water sports. If you are not a good swimmer, take properly and is Coast Guard-approved.
swimming lessons to learn basic swimming skills. Learning
to swim is extremely important for children, who tend to 4. Never go out swimming, diving alone. Even though
learn quicker than adults. Children who learn to swim at you may enjoy this time alone, it can be very dangerous.
a young age are less likely to fear the water, which allows Make sure you have someone with you at all times when
them to participate in many types of water activities. The you are in or on the water. It doesn’t matter whether you
YMCA has been teaching people to swim for more than are swimming or boating or fishing; never risk getting out
100 years. You can check out their website (www.ymca.net) alone in the water.
for more information.
5. Carry extra safety supplies and equipment with you
2. Children can be fearless when it comes to being when you are boating. These can include extra life jackets,
in the water. They have very little concern for their own a mobile phone, first aid kit, equipment manual and
safety, or the safety of others. All children who are playing tools, bottles of water and towels. Ensure you and your
or taking part in water sports activities must by supervised passengers are aware of these items and know how to use
by adults, at all times. Young children have a higher risk them properly. Be sure the supplies and equipment are
of drowning, so never leave children alone near or in the accessible, yet stored safely and securely.
water. Assign an individual to keep an eye on children the
entire time they are near the water, and, if possible, have a 6. Let people know where you are going. You don’t have
second adult help out as well. to formally file a float plan, but you should still complete
the information and give it to someone staying on shore. In
3. Wear a life jacket (i.e., personal flotation device) the event you do not return as scheduled, this information
even if you are a great swimmer. If you fall or become will be the starting point for locating you and providing
incapacited in the water, a life jacket will keep you afloat assistance as needed. Many things can go wrong when you
until help arrives. Even in a boat, riders should be wearing are out on the water, from physical issues to mechanical
life jackets. The latest statistics indicate that more than problems, so be pro-active and plan your activity in
half of boating-related deaths in recent years were due to advance; then follow that plan. An example of a float plan
drowning, and may have been avoided if the victims had is provided here.

42 ISLANDS STYLE