How to Stay Safe on the Water

Enjoying time on the water at Trinity Lake is one of the best parts of living in and around Trinity County. Whether you’re water skiing, relaxing on a houseboat or fishing, getting out on the marina in Lewiston, CA will make any day feel like vacation.

However, while enjoying boating and water sports is a great way to relax, it’s important not to forget about water safety. Thousands of people get injured on the water each year. So many of those accidents could be prevented by remembering the following tips on how to stay safe on the water, whether you’re at the marina in Lewiston, CA or elsewhere.

Get educated on water safety

Before renting a boat and going out on the water, be sure you’re properly trained. Get to know the state laws of boating and the rules of right of way for boating. The National Association of Boating Law Administrators offers safety courses you can take to be aware of everything you should know about boating safety, which is more than careful driving and wearing life jackets and extends to mechanical aspects of the vessel.

Be prepared

There are a number of things you should think about before spending a day out boating. Be sure to check that there are enough life jackets on the boat for the number of people joining you, and that all of your equipment is undamaged and working properly. Along with any snacks for the day, you should pack sunscreen and enough water to drink, as well as a change of clothes in case you fall in the water or get splashed.

You should always check the weather before planning to spend a day on the water, and make sure someone besides your boating companions knows where you are in case anything goes awry. If a storm develops unexpectedly, be safe and get off the water. Finally, there’s nothing more fun than a party on a boat, but you should never drink and drive on or off the water.

Always wear a life jacket

Whether you’re speed boating or just taking out a canoe or kayak, you should always wear a life jacket when you’re out on the water. The majority of drowning victims in the United States were not wearing life jackets. You may think you’re a great swimmer and don’t need one, but you still do! If you fall off a boat or get injured, you can become disoriented or even unconscious in the water. A properly-fitting life jacket will keep your head above water. It should be properly fastened and should fit so there’s not a big gap around your arms and the jacket cannot ride up over your chin or face.

Practice water sports safety

Partaking in water sports is one of the best ways to enjoy the warm weather. Skiing, wakeboarding and tubing are super fun, but it’s important to remember that you’re moving at high speeds and take precautions to keep everyone safe. Always have someone acting as a spotter if you’re towing a skier, wakeboarder or tuber to make sure you know if they fall. Be sure to check if the towline is caught around anyone in the water or in the boat’s propeller before speeding away, and always wait for the propeller to stop moving before climbing back into the boat.

If you follow all these precautions, you should have a great time on the water! Contact Trinity Alps Marina for information on boat rentals or any questions you have about our marina in Lewiston, CA.

Categorised in: Boat Safety

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