•
Watch for swimmers. Swimming areas may not be
marked. Steer clear from the area and always remain
alert.
•
Distress flags indicate a fellow boater is in need of
assistance.
•
Navigation markers serve as a means of identifying
navigable routes and indicate water hazards. Boaters
should become familiar with navigation markers and
stay within marked boundaries and clear of hazards.
REACTING TO EMERGENCIES
Be prepared to deal with emergencies before they happen.
Try to formulate a plan for each type of emergency in
advance so that decisions can be made quickly and with-
out hesitation. Precious moments lost can mean the
difference between losing and saving a life.
Flooding
If your boat starts taking on water, activate the bilge pump
immediately. Make sure all passengers are wearing their
PFDs. Open the engine compartment, look for the cause
of the flooding. Check all hoses, through hull fittings, sea-
cocks and strainers. If flooding occurs as a result of
collision or grounding damage, call for assistance and
head for shore if possible.
Capsizing and Man Overboard
By far, the largest number of boating fatalities involve cap-
sizing and falling overboard accidents. By being prepared
ahead of time with an appropriate plan of action, you can
greatly lower your chances and your passengers’ chances
of becoming seriously injured.
Capsizing
Wear PFD’s or have them readily available at all times. If
your boat capsizes, and others were on board, locate them
and guide them to the safety of the hull. Even if the boat
floats in an upside-down position, stay with it. The boat hull
is much easier for rescuers to spot than a human head
sticking out of the water. DO NOT attempt to swim ashore,
it may be further than it looks.
Man Overboard
Think through and follow these procedures if someone in
your boat falls overboard.
•
Remember, every second counts, you must act fast.
•
Move throttles to idle position immediately and yell
“MAN OVERBOARD.”
•
Throw some floating object overboard immediately.
Keep your required Type IV PFD accessible at all times
for such an emergency.
•
Keep the person in the water in sight at all times. Have
a passenger do nothing but watch the person. Do not
go into the water to help the victim. One person in the
water is enough trouble.
•
Circle around quickly, approaching into the wind and
waves. When the person is alongside, put the engine
in neutral and throw them a Type IV PFD with a line
attached or extend a paddle or boat hook within his/her
reach.
Collision
If a serious collision occurs, you should first check the con-
dition of all passengers aboard, then inspect your boat to
determine the extent of damage.
3.19
•
Watch for swimmers. Swimming areas may not be
marked. Steer clear from the area and always remain
alert.
•
Distress flags indicate a fellow boater is in need of
assistance.
•
Navigation markers serve as a means of identifying
navigable routes and indicate water hazards. Boaters
should become familiar with navigation markers and
stay within marked boundaries and clear of hazards.
REACTING TO EMERGENCIES
Be prepared to deal with emergencies before they happen.
Try to formulate a plan for each type of emergency in
advance so that decisions can be made quickly and with-
out hesitation. Precious moments lost can mean the
difference between losing and saving a life.
Flooding
If your boat starts taking on water, activate the bilge pump
immediately. Make sure all passengers are wearing their
PFDs. Open the engine compartment, look for the cause
of the flooding. Check all hoses, through hull fittings, sea-
cocks and strainers. If flooding occurs as a result of
collision or grounding damage, call for assistance and
head for shore if possible.
Capsizing and Man Overboard
By far, the largest number of boating fatalities involve cap-
sizing and falling overboard accidents. By being prepared
ahead of time with an appropriate plan of action, you can
greatly lower your chances and your passengers’ chances
of becoming seriously injured.
Capsizing
Wear PFD’
s or have them readily available at all times. If
your boat capsizes, and others were on board, locate them
and guide them to the safety of the hull. Even if the boat
floats in an upside-down position, stay with it. The boat hull
is much easier for rescuers to spot than a human head
sticking out of the water. DO NOT attempt to swim ashore,
it may be further than it looks.
Man Overboard
Think through and follow these procedures if someone in
your boat falls overboard.
•
Remember, every second counts, you must act fast.
•
Move throttles to idle position immediately and yell
“MAN OVERBOARD.”
•
Throw some floating object overboard immediately.
Keep your required Type IV PFD accessible at all times
for such an emergency.
•
Keep the person in the water in sight at all times. Have
a passenger do nothing but watch the person. Do not
go into the water to help the victim. One person in the
water is enough trouble.
•
Circle around quickly, approaching into the wind and
waves. When the person is alongside, put the engine
in neutral and throw them a Type IV PFD with a line
attached or extend a paddle or boat hook within his/her
reach.
Collision
If a serious collision occurs, you should first check the con-
dition of all passengers aboard, then inspect your boat to
determine the extent of damage.
3.19
