Everglades 320 EX, Owner'S Manual

Page: 21 / 170

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Safety Equipment
1.8 First Aid
It is the operator’s re-
sponsibility to be familiar
with the proper first-aid
procedures and be able
to care for minor injuries
or illnesses of your pas-
sengers. In an emergen-
cy, you could be far from
professional medical as-
sistance. We strongly
recommend that you be
prepared by receiving training in basic first aid and
CPR. This can be done through classes given by
the Red Cross or your local hospital.
Your boat should also be equipped with at least a
simple marine first-aid kit and a first-aid manual.
The marine first-aid kit should be designed for
the marine environment and be well supplied. It
should be accessible and each person on board
should be aware of its location. As supplies are
used, replace them promptly. Some common
drugs and antiseptics may lose their strength or
become unstable as they age. Ask a medical pro-
fessional about the supplies you should carry and
the safe shelf life of prescription drugs or other
medical supplies that may be in your first-aid kit.
Replace questionably old supplies whether they
have been used or not.
In many emergency situations, the Coast Guard
can provide assistance in obtaining medical advice
for treatment of serious injuries or illness. If you
are within VHF range of a Coast Guard Station,
make the initial contact on channel 16 and follow
their instructions.
1.9 Additional Safety Equipment
Besides meeting the legal requirements, prudent
boaters carry additional safety equipment. This
is particularly important if you operate your boat
offshore. You should consider the following items,
depending on how you use your boat.
Satellite EPIRBS
EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacon) operate as part of a worldwide distress
system. When activated, EPIRBs will send distress
code homing beacons that allow Coast Guard
aircraft to identify and find them quickly. The
satellites that receive and relay EPIRB signals are
operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) in the United States. The
EPIRB should be mounted and registered accord-
ing to the instructions provided with the beacon,
so that the beacon’s unique distress code can be
used to quickly identify the boat and owner.
Marine Radio
A marine radio is the most effective method of
receiving information and requesting assistance.
VHF marine radios are used near shore and single
sideband radios are used for long range commu-
nication.
There are specific frequencies to use in an emer -
gency. The VHF emergency channel is 16 in
the United States. You should read the owners
manual for your radio and know how to use it in
an emergency or for normal operation. If you
hear a distress call you should assist or monitor
the situation until help is provided.
Additional Equipment to Consider:
Cell Phone Spare Anchor
Fenders Heaving Line
Mirror First Aid Kit
Tool Kit Flashlight & Batteries
Anchor Search light
Boat Hook Sunburn Lotion
Mooring Lines Ring Buoy or Boat Cushion
Binoculars Whistle or Horn
Extra Clothing Portable Radio
Chart and Compass Marine Hardware
Food & Water
Spare Keys
Sunglasses Spare Parts
Spare Propellers Spare Propeller Hub Kits