MID-SEASON SAFE BOATING TIPS
Extreme Heat Tips for safe boating We have had a string of very hot days over the last few weeks around Put-in-Bay. Here are some tips to stay as cool and healthy as possible while on your boat. Fatigue can be one of the most common causes of boating accidents.
1) Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Particularly under extreme heat conditions
which you should do so prophylactically in other words, don’t wait until you are dying of thirst before you drink.
2) Wear light and light colored clothing. Black and dark colors will make you very hot very fast. As a personal cooling preference, I usually wear white or khaki shorts and a tank top with a white or khaki breathable knit ball cap with an extra long bill. People often overlook the importance of protecting their head from direct extreme sunlight. If you don’t have a bimini roof or such to protect you from hours of direct sun exposure consider wearing a buff. You’ll look a bit like a bandit but that’s the trade-off and is safe boating!
3) If possible, limit your time on the water to the coolest parts of the day. Heat Exhaustion VS. Heat Stroke (Know the difference and know the symptoms) Heat exhaustion is the precursor to heatstroke and is a direct result of the body overheating. Symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid pulse, dizziness, fatigue, cool moist skin with goose bumps, muscle cramps, nausea, and a headache. If heat exhaustion is
suspected, remove the person from the heat by getting out of the sun and loosening tight clothes, misting the body with water or placing ice packs in the armpits and groin. Re-hydrate the person with plenty of water and avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or high amounts of sugar. If heat exhaustion is not addressed, heatstroke could follow and without emergency treatment can lead to death. Heatstroke results when your body temperature rises to 104 degrees or higher. At this temperature, your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles
can become damaged, leading to serious complications or death. If you suspect heatstroke seek medical attention immediately.
Please Be Advised Last month there were three re-occurring violations that we encountered while on patrol in our part of the Western Basin. Wake violations: Boating into Put-in-Bay harbor (and others) there were countless boaters violating the “No Wake Zones.” Be sure to
learn what idle speed means. As a rule of thumb if you look over your transom and you see white water you are probably going to fast. Remember that you are legally and financially responsible for any damage caused by your wake to other boats and facilities. Make no mistake, it is enforceable! Your wake if not properly cared for can easily swamp a smaller boat and cause a serious even deadly accident
Boaters riding on the gunwales and/or on top of the bow. WOW is that dangerous and a boating safety NO NO…and illegal. If you hit a sudden hard wake or wave bodies could go flying and maybe into a prop. Make sure that all of your passengers are safely inside the vessel while underway. Kayakers without life vests on board. While kayakers aren’t required to wear their life vests while underway, they are required to have them on board. I would ask you to consider this. Unless you are an amazing swimmer and in your prime, your ability to
recover from a sudden and catastrophic event such as a flipped over kayak may be limited. The life vest that you have stowed on board will be completely useless under these types of circumstances. Please consider safe boating bt wearing your life vest while kayaking. I am now on the island through October and available to inspect your vessel. You can reach me at 419-379-9000. FREE VESSEL SAFETY CHECK
Now is the time for island residents to schedule a free vessel safety check administered by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Call Today 419-379- 9000. We can inspect your boat at the Put-in-Bay Boat Docks or your marina.
