Coast Guard, Corps of Engineers promote water, boating safety
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors of the importance of practicing “safe, sensible, and thoughtful activities” in and around the water as warmer weather arrives, the Corps said in a news release.
“Tragically, several people lose their lives while visiting USACE lands and waters every year. The majority of the tragedies are water-related. The public’s help is needed to reduce the number of fatalities at the more than 2,800 USACE-managed recreation areas nationwide. USACE personnel stress the importance of water safety year-round when talking with visitors, but especially during the summer season because that is when most public recreation fatalities occur,” the release said.
The Corps of Engineers offers the following safety tips:
• Expect the unexpected. “Accidents can happen within seconds, so always be prepared for the unexpected. If you are ejected from a boat, fall, or jump into water that is colder than 70 degrees, you can inhale water from involuntary gasping, hyperventilate, panic, and sometimes suffer vertigo that can cause you to drown. You can also be knocked unconscious if you are ejected from your boat or fall into the 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 your life if you become exhausted due to fatigue, waves, or current while swimming. 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.”
• Know one’s swimming abilities. “Be aware that swimming in natural waters such as a lake, river, or pond is different from swimming in a pool, and your swimming ability decreases with age. It is never too late to take swimming lessons and learn to swim well. Several people every year drown while swimming to retrieve boats and toys. Let those go because they are not worth losing your life over.”
• Alcohol and water are a deadly combination.
“Alcohol induces an inner ear condition (caloric labyrinthitis) 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. This can more likely happen if you have been consuming alcohol,” the release states.
• Understand “boater’s hypnosis,” 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 intensifies the effects,” it states.
To learn more water safety tips, visit http://www.PleaseWearIt.com or follow Please Wear It on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Arkansas boating accident report, on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website, shows 2020 was a bad year for accidents, with inexperience being the major contributing factor, Deborah Blackburn, assistant district state liaison officer for Arkansas, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, told The SentinelRecord.
“With COVID-19, boating has increased substantially. Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1986, is required to have passed a safe boating course,” she said.
In addition to water safety, the Corps reminds all visitors, volunteers, and employees that a face mask is required in all USACE buildings and facilities to slow the spread of COVID-19. Masks should also be worn outdoors on USACE-managed lands when attending crowded events, and non-vaccinated individuals should wear masks outdoors when social distancing cannot be met, such as hiking on trails, the release said.