This year, May 17-23 is National Safe Boating Week. Having represented those involved in boating and water based accidents, I know the importance of these safety measures.
Over the course of the week, I’ll have a few posts detailing the dangers and safety measures related to safe boating. For today, I’ll give you the big overview of what you should do to make your trips out on our waterways just a little safer.
1. Avoid drinking and driving. This should go without saying, but a significant percentage of boating accidents involve alcohol. Even worse, being on the water magnifies the effects of alcohol. I’ve heard that one drink on the water is equal to four drinks on land. I’m not sure that’s completely accurate, but it’s probably close.
2. Use your lights. Austin Lake Police have indicated that one of the biggest risks of danger is night time collisions.
3. Wear your life vest. The law requires you to have one life jacket on the boat for each person. But if something goes wrong, you might not have the opportunity to grab a life jacket from storage. Be safe and wear it instead.
4. Look out for others. As the lake crowds increase, make sure you are cognizant of other skiiers, tubers and wakeboarders. And always remember that as you follow, they could fall in an instant. On the other hand, when you voluntarily stop to get in and out of the water, make sure that you are doing so in as safe a place as possible.
