Water Safety Reminder

The start of the season is upon us, and I'm reminded that each and every year about this time, there's a tragedy on the water that could have been avoided. We're just about upon the anniversary of Corey Kraut who was lost about 5 years ago while not wearing a vest.

http://www.wakeworld.com/News/2000/CoryKraut.asp

Just a little reminder so maybe we can avoid tragedy this year:
1. Wear your life vest whenever you're participating in water sports.
2. Make sure your kids wear their vests at all times while in / out of the boat according to your local laws.
3. Don't teak surf... ever!
4. Run your blowers to exhaust flammable vapors.
5. Keep off the swimstep when your motor is running to avoid carbon monoxide poisioning.
5. Just use good judgement and common sense.

Be safe out there....

Most of us pretty much take safety for granted. We always have the vest, blower etc going on without even thinking about it. In a few weeks I will be taking my 3 yr old grandson to the lake camping with us. It will be his first on the boat, so I will probably secure his vest so he cant get it off and also tie a half dozen fenders to him just in case!!

thanks for the advice.

I think that wearing your vest should be like wearing a seat belt, it's just a habit, you put it on without even thinking about it. The second number 5 on that list will probably help cover all the rest cause as long as you use common sense you'll be able to save yourself from most pain and frustration. Be safe everyone!

I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a vest.

I'd be finding some wood to be knocking on after that comment, Stacy.

Yeah, I get the whole freedom of choice thing, but are people really not that bright? There is some floation in a non-uscg, but try this. Put your vest on, get in the water and exhale all your air and see how long you float...my guess will be not at all. With a USCG, there is at least a chance of pulling an injured rider from the water and saving them. If you go under, there is very little chance...I've been in resuce situations like that...not fun.

Another anectdote...In Florida riding, and along comes a wakeskater...not only NOT wearing a vest at all, but had one arm in an immobilizer and tied to his waist. All in the boat, including a pro thought it was pretty dumb.

Eric

Mike - I think you didn't fully read the quote.

My son is now 5, and will be going to the lake with me quite often this year. He's very comfortable in his vest, and he's a great passenger (knows when to sit, when to stand..) I'm about to take Texas State Department Boating class, even though I don't own a boat (yet).

And I would never ride without a USCG vest.

We'll be back at you a little later in the spring on your Folsom thread - as of today, 83% full and counting - but I give you a lot of credit for starting this one. I haven't had the boat out in months and it's almost time. It's not like riding a bicycle, after the winter layoff, you have to stop and think about what you're doing. At least we old guys need to. And be thinking about whether the other boater out there is still rusty too. Thanks for the reminder.

My comment "I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a vest" means, if I was wearing a vest, the chances of me dying is slim. I always wear my vest and I always will.

Around here they pull a few people from the river every year.

To quote one 20 year water rescue / recovery veteran, "I've never pulled a person who has drown from the river that was wearing a life vest."

Just goes to show ya... Please be safe out there.