HOW TO TIE OFF A BOAT

When you’re out on a friend’s boat coming in towards the dock and he hands you the line and asks you to tie it off, you need to know what he means. What he means is: secure the boat to the dock by snaking the line around a cleat. There is a way to do this, and boat people tend to like things done the right way, because their vessel, and people’s lives, often depend on it. First, leave a little slack in the line – you don’t want to brace the boat to the dock so tight that it can’t move with the waves. Wrap the line around the far side of the cleat. Do one loop around the base, then wind a figure 8 around the cleat’s horns. Wind another figure 8. Finally, form a loop in the line, with the free end on the bottom. Drop that loop over a horn and pull it tight. If you did it right, the rope should grab the cleat and stay taut. Nice work. Now move to secure the stern. (That’s the back.)

Remember: It’s not an apology; it’s the truth. Don’t explain. It’s the truth. Don’t tell stories. Don’t be tempted by chronology and plot at all. Make a list in your head and use that instead. Like A, B and C. Speak clearly. Don’t prevaricate. Square up your shoulders. Raise your eyes. Take a breath. Begin. It’s the truth. If the situation is serious, keep your composure. Calm people make better decisions. When you’re truly out of your element, apply pressure and hope the EMTS don’t hit traffic.

Tweezers usually work for big ones. But for the microscopic slivers you feel but don’t see, make a paste out of ¼ tsp baking soda and a few drops of water. Apply and cover with a bandage. The baking soda swells your skin and brings the splinter to the surface. After 24 hours, it should be sticking out enough that you can remove it. Petroleum jelly and nail polish cause ticks to burrow deeper. Burning just makes them release more diseased saliva. Instead, grab your tweezers – the same ones you used to pull out that splinter. Get as close to the tick’s mouth as possible, then pull steadily outward so as not to leave any parts in your skin. Dr Evan Small, an emergencymedicine specialist, suggests removing the stick unless it hit an artery or pierced your chest or abdomen. (If it did, remove the protruding parts and get to a hospital.) Remove the stick and wash the wound with clean water. There will be a little swelling – that’s okay. Apply pressure and get medical attention. Whatever you do, don’t use a tourniquet. That starts a clock on your body. You have about an hour before you start causing damage.