(NC)-Fresh breezes, sunshine and sparkling water - an ideal combination for summer pleasure boating. Don't let disaster darken your outing.
Canada's leading provider of first aid training and safety products, St. John Ambulance, says take precautions to avoid tragedy. Keep this boater checklist handy | | and refer to it before you leave shore every time.
Does your boat meet all safety regulations
Is your boat seaworthy and capable of handling the prevailing water conditions
Do you have an approved lifejacket for every member of your party
Do you have safety flares and a waterproof lighter
Do you have two buoyant towlines
Do you have an anchor
Do you have a sound-emitting device, such as a horn or whistle
Do you have paddles or oars
Do you have tools to perform minor mechanical repairs
Do you have a first aid kit
Do you have a fire extinguisher
Do you have sufficient fuel
Have you checked for fuel system leaks or fumes
Do you have water and nourishment
Do you have protection from the elements - sun, wind or rain
Boating is nothing to fool with
Many people think operating a boat requires merely knowing how to run the motor and steer. That's far from the case. Should your boat capsize or if you fall overboard, don't panic. Never attempt to swim to shore unless you are positive you can easily make it.
Hang on to the boat and wait for help. If you are in the water for an extended period, be wary of the signs of hypothermia, which can be present even in warm water conditions. As the body cools it becomes susceptible to shivering, slurred speech, and drowsiness - all warning signs of hypothermia. The condition is severe when shivering stops. Unconsciousness and stopped breathing could follow. This is a dangerous, life-threatening condition that requires immediate first aid.
Here's what to do when a hypothermic casualty is in the water:
Tell the casualty not to take off any clothing - clothing helps keep heat in.
Tell the casualty to move as little as possible - movement causes more heat loss.
When removing the casualty from the water, keep them horizontal and handle them gently as rough movement could upset heart rhythm.
St. John has training programs and first aid products to give you what you need. Contact the St. John Ambulance branch nearest you or visit our website at www.sja.ca.
About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more |
| | for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.
This article was posted on August 3, 2002 |
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