Army Corps of Engineers reminds to practice water safety
As the summer season approaches the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible and thoughtful activities, in, on and around open water.
Tragically people lose their lives at recreational lands and waters every year. Most of the tragedies are water related.
The public’s help is needed to reduce the number of fatalities and public waters such as lakes and rivers. USACE personnel stress the importance of water safety year-round, but especially during the summer months as that’s when most pubic recreation fatalities happen.
People of all ages are strongly encouraged to practice water safety this summer. Before entering or being around open waters such as lakes, rivers and ponds keep these things in mind as they could save a life.
Expect the unexpected. Accidents can happen within seconds. If you’re ejected from a boat, fall or jump into water that’s colder than 70 degrees you can inhale water from involuntary gasping, hyperventilation, panic and sometimes vertigo that could cause you to drown. You can also be knocked unconscious if you’re ejected from your boat or fall into water along the shoreline while fishing.
Wear a life jacket. By providing time to be rescued it will help ensure you survive an unexpected fall into the water. It can also save a life if one becomes exhausted. An adult can drown in 60 seconds and it takes a strong swimmer 10 minutes to put on a life jacket after entering the water. Statistics show numerous drownings could have been prevented if a life jacket would have been worn. Life Jackets Worn, Nobody Mourns.
Wear Engine Cutoff Device While Boating. If thrown out of a boat, there’s always the danger of being struck by a spinning propeller, especially since the unoccupied boat can often be going in circles. Wearing an engine cut-off switch lanyard or electronic fob immediately stops the engine after ejection so the operator can regain control of the boat.
Know your swimming abilities. Swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool and swimming ability decreases with age. It’s never too late to take swimming lessons and learn to swim well. Several people drown every year while swimming to retrieve boats, hats and toys. Let those things go because they’re not worth losing your life over.
Alcohol and water are a deadly combination. Alcohol induces an inner ear condition that can cause you to become disoriented when underwater and not realize which way is up. If you jump or fall in the water, you can become disoriented and swim down instead of up to safety, causing you to drown.
Understand boater hypnosis. It’s a condition brought on by the effects of sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion experienced during a day of boating. Boater’s hypnosis can slow your reaction time almost as much as if you were legally intoxicated. Adding alcohol to this condition just makes it worse.
Be Aware of Carbon Monoxide While Boating. Carbon monoxide poisoning isn’t limited to boats with enclosed cabins. It has proven to be deadly on open motorboats too. Carbon monoxide can kill you while you’re on or in the water near a boat, so use a marine carbon monoxide detector; always maintain fresh air circulation; seat children in the most forward part of the boat; shut off boat motors to avoid unnecessary idling; be aware of emissions from other boats; and seek medical attention immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
Watch Your Children. Constantly supervise your children whenever they’re in, on, or near open water. Always keep them within arm’s reach. To keep them safe and yourself safe you and they shoulld wear properly fitted life jackets.
Air Temperature and Water Temperature are not the same. The water temperature in rivers and lakes can be significantly colder than the air temperature and jumping or falling into cold water can be a dangerous shock to your body, so it’s important to wear properly fitted life jacket to increase your chances of survival.
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