BOATING ACCIDENTS
Thousands of people throughout the country are injured or killed in boating accidents every year. With Lake Mead in our back yard and the coast just a few hours away, many Las Vegas residents have not been immune to such accidents. Please read the following pertinent guidelines for how to avoid boating accidents to ensure such a terrible tragedy does not happen to you or your family.
Life Jackets
Drowning remains second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages one to 14. Life jackets could prevent approximately two-thirds of all boating-related drownings of children ages 14 and under. Many adults believe themselves capable of diving into the water to rescue a child who falls overboard, but it can be difficult to locate a child on the water as adults may not notice a child falling overboard right away and children who fall in may not surface immediately.
Adults should also always wear life jackets as well – not only to keep themselves safe, but to demonstrate safe behavior for their children. Remember that just as in car accidents, in boating accidents, people can be knocked unconscious, so even an adult who knows how to swim can benefit from a life jacket.
Alcohol Consumption
Driving a boat while intoxicated is just as dangerous and illegal as operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Boating while under the influence is especially dangerous as there are no traffic signals or lanes out on the open water.
Take Boating Courses
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, operator errors account for 70% of boating accidents. Take a course to prepare yourself to operate a watercraft. Many boating safety courses are offered throughout the country, for all types of recreational boaters, and for boaters of all ages.
Pay Attention
Because there aren’t traffic signals or lanes in lakes or oceans, you must constantly be aware of what’s around you. Each person on a watercraft should be looking in a particular direction and keeping a lookout for other boats, people and rocks in the water. Keep boat radios down low so people can hear each other and people may be able to quickly grab your attention.
Speeding
Many accidents are caused by excessive speed. Boats do not have brakes and are much harder to stop and slow down than vehicles. Even when there is not a specified speed limit, use common sense and keep your speed at safe levels.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide released from recreational boats is known as the Silent Killer because you cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide. The symptoms are similar to seasickness or alcohol intoxication and carbon monoxide can make you sick in seconds. In high enough concentrations, even a few breaths can be fatal. Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for many drownings, as it causes unconsciousness—another reason to always wear a life jacket. Treat symptoms of seasickness as possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Get the person into fresh air immediately and seek medical attention, unless you’re sure it’s not carbon monoxide poisoning.
To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, do not stay in an immobile boat with the engine running for an extended period of time, or swim around the back of a boat while the engine is running. Install and maintain CO alarms inside your boat. Do not ignore any alarm and replace alarms as recommended by the alarm manufacturer. Also, many children like to swim and play near the back of houseboats especially, but ensure that the boat generator is not running while children are playing in that area.
For more information on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org.
