MEDICAL SURFARI: BOAT SMART FROM THE START

The summer solstice is past and most boat owners have had their boats out of dry dock and on the water several times by this point in the season. Many of you are already planning your fun in the sun for the July 4 weekend. If you are a boat owner or have friends with a boat, there is a good chance that you will be heading to the water for recreation and relaxation. Keep in mind a few sobering statistics and some tips to prevent becoming one.

The U.S. Coastguard and the National Safe Boating Council have launched a campaign that is the largest water safety initiative of its kind in the nation's history to promote safe boating. This campaign is designed to reach more than 80 million boaters around the country to raise the awareness of boating safety and prevent you or your friends from becoming one of the 700 people each year that die in boating-related accidents -- 9 out of 10 of whom were not wearing a lifejacket!

A survey of over 600 sixth graders in a Pennsylvania school was conducted by a teacher who was starting a unit on boating safety: 86 percent of the students reported that they go boating; 7 percent of the students reported that they have taken a boating lesson; 50 percent of the students reported that they have never worn a lifejacket and 18 percent of the students admitted to being fearful in water deeper than their standing height.

Our children learn especially well by example or by being involved in an activity. Teach them the importance of wearing a lifejacket and how to properly fit the jacket to themselves or to a friend.

In the event of an accident there will be no time to explain.

Since 1987 the numbers of personal water crafts (jet skis, wet bikes, ski-doo's) have increased from 92,000 to over 900,000. Of course, with this ten-fold increase there has also been an unfortunate increase in the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities associated with personal watercraft.

Many of these accidents have been associated with operators aged less than 16 and "tunnel vision" syndrome when the driver fails to look around before turning or through "off-throttle steering" accidents which result when the driver attempts to turn the craft without throttling.

When operating a personal watercraft or boating this summer keep the following safe boating tips in mind:

Always wear a PFD. It's the law!

Wear proper riding gear (wetsuits, goggles, sunglasses, gloves, deck shoes). Wetsuits help to protect against abrasions, hypothermia and injuries to the rectum and vagina from high velocity impact with the water's surface.

Always wear a small, mouth-operated whistle.

Operators and passengers should keep all limbs well within the confines of the vehicle and if you are riding a personal watercraft keep both feet on the footrest floor.

Make sure an approved fire extinguisher is aboard and in proper working order.

If you are riding a personal watercraft always attach the stop lanyard to your wrist or PFD.

Never operate a personal watercraft or boat in less than two feet of water.

Never go out alone---always use the buddy system.

When operating a boat after sunset or before sunrise be certain that all light indicators are functional and on. Never operate a personal watercraft during these hours.

Never operate a personal watercraft or boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Over half of all boating related accidents and fatalities are alcohol related.

Remember: "Boat smart from the start -- wear your lifejacket."

World Wide Web Resources

National Safe Boating Council

http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/camp.html

The theme of this year's National Safe Boating Campaign is "Boat Smart from the Start. Wear Your Life Jacket." You can receive materials and information on this campaign and other aspects of boating safety from this site.

National Safety Council

http://www.nsc.org/boating.htm

This web site from the National Safety Council provides safety information regarding life jackets and personal watercraft safety.