General Boating Safety

 

Carbon Monoxide Dangers

According to Captain Scott Evans, Chief of Office of Boating Safety for the U.S. Coast Guard, “Most boaters know that Carbon Monoxide (CO) is poisonous. They know CO can be present in their homes, so they install detectors. They know it's present in a car's exhaust, so they don't run the engine in enclosed spaces like garages. Some even know it can collect in a boat's engine space, and other interior compartments. But very few know that Carbon Monoxide can be present in dangerous concentrations outside a boat -- around exhaust outlets, under swim platforms, even in an open cabin under certain conditions. The results can be dangerous, even fatal. “

The good news? CO poisoning is easily prevented through awareness -- and a few simple steps all boaters can take.

Click here to learn more. 

What is cold water immersion?

It’s not cold in the summer, so what’s the problem? Well, in Idaho, even summer water temperatures can hover around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Our body’s response to immersion into 50-degree water is something we don’t have a lot of control over.

Cold water immersion will play out in four stages:

• Cold Shock Response – first 3-5 min
• Cold Incapacitation – 5–30 min
• Hypothermia – 30+ min
• Circum-rescue Collapse – during and after rescue

Cold Shock Response – You just fell overboard! The shock of the cold water causes you to gasp for air. It takes your breath away! With all this gasping, hyperventilation will kick in, which can reduce blood flow to the brain and your oxygen supply. This may cause dizziness and confusion. Along with the hyperventilation, there is a claustrophobic feeling of not being able to get enough air and this increases the potential for panic. And if that’s not enough, the ability to hold your breath is almost impossible! And your respiratory problems are just the beginning. In addition, your Cardiovascular Responses can then include rapid heart rate (up to double or more of your normal heart rate) and some irregular heartbeats. This increased workload on the heart puts even the most healthy individuals in danger of a heart attack.

Cold Incapacitation – Very soon after immersion, the cold water can impair your ability to undertake critical survival activities. You might not be able to put on you life jacket, hold onto a floatation aid, re-board your vessel, climb a ladder, hold a rescue line, swim, or stay afloat. Swim failure can happen even to “good” swimmers. Many classed as “good” swimmers in a heated pool are unable to swim even short distances in cold water, even to save their life. This loss of manual dexterity is not caused by a low core body temperature (hypothermia.) Hypothermia is the next step.

Hypothermia (Deep Body Cooling) – Once you are immersed in cold water, your core body temperature begins to decline and hypothermia can set in as quickly as ten minutes. This rate depends on water temperature, clothing, body type, and your behavior in the water. Cold water robs the body of heat 25 times faster than cold air. In many cases, you may lose consciousness and drown before your temperature drops low enough to cause death.

Circum-rescue Collapse – This occurs during or after rescue. Once rescued after you have been immersed in cold water, your are still in danger from collapse of arterial blood pressure, which can lead to cardiac arrest. Also, inhaled water can damage your lungs, and heart problems can develop as cold blood from your arms and legs is released into the core of your body.

Your chance of surviving cold water immersion depends on having the ability to swim, to keep your head out of the water (even without floatation aids), and the ability to avoid panic. You need to have sufficient flotation in order to keep your head above water, control your breathing, have a timely rescue by your self or others, and to retain heat. Prepare for boating in cold water conditions by always wearing a secured life jacket (PFD) and wearing layered clothing for insulation.

How can I protect myself in cold water?

Your best bet is to carry and wear proper protective clothing:

PFDs
Here's another reason to wear your personal floatation device (PFD)! The more coverage your PFD provides, the better it is at preventing hypothermia. Even lightweight PFDs will help, though, if they're designed to keep your head above water.

Floatation Suits
You hear these called "wet suits." They can be a one-piece suit or a jacket and pants combination. A thin layer of water will come between you and your suit. Your body warms that water and helps maintain your core temperature.

Immersion Suits
Boaters who are out for long periods of time or in colder weather should carry an immersion suit that can be quickly donned in an emergency. These are considered "dry" suits, and they provide the highest level of thermal insulation as well as flotation. They are designed to keep you alive for an extended period of time until help arrives. 

Some sobering facts

• Eight hundred or more people a year die in boating accidents in the U.S.
• More than 80 percent of them drown.
• About half of all boating fatalities involve alcohol
• Waterways are second only to highways as the scene of accidental deaths in this country

Alcohol in your system affects your BALANCE and JUDGMENT. It dramatically slows your reaction time. When you operate a boat, you accept responsibility for the boat, for the safety of your passengers, and for others out enjoying the water. Remember, alcohol isn't the sport. Boating is the sport. Enjoy it safely.

When you're a boat operator, there's no such thing as responsible drinking.

Wear It!

What's a PFD?

A personal floatation device (PFD) is a Coast Guard approved item designed to help save your life. All life jackets are PFDs, but not all PFDs are life jackets.

Why should my kids wear a PFD?

Because you love them. Drowning is often a silent killer. Children can slip under the water unnoticed even with an adult nearby. They can fall overboard in a second and may not have the physical ability to keep their head above water.

Here are some guidelines for wearing PFDs:

• Children under five should wear them on beaches, docks and boats
• Children from 6-11 should wear them on docks, boats, riverbanks and when they float in an inner tube.
• Teens and adults should wear PFDs on boats and on inner tubes.

Buying a PFD

• Be sure it is Coast Guard approved. Check for a snug fit. Pick up you child by the shoulders of the PFD: their chin and ears won't slip through a proper fit.
• Get a PFD that will support the wearer's head and keep it out of water in case they lose consciousness.
• For younger children, a strap between the legs is a good feature.
• It should look good and be comfortable. This is especially important for adults and teens who may not wear the PFD if they think it makes them look odd.

PFD types

Type I--For boating in severe conditions where rescue may be delayed.


Type II--Good for calm, inland waters where there is a good chance of fast rescue. Smaller sizes often have high collars to help keep a child's face out of the water.


Type III--Provides similar floatation to a Type II and offers the most comfort and freedom of movement. It comes in a variety of sizes from small child to adult. It is also best used in calm water where there's a good chance of quick rescue.