Planning to spend a little time out on the water this holiday weekend? Enjoy boating along the coastline or soaking up the sun. If you do plan to hit the beach or get out on the water, make sure to put safety first. Duffy Boat Rentals Newport Beach wants you to stay safe, too, and offer some helpful hints and tips for this holiday weekend:
Know Before You Go
Do you know how to operate a boat? If you are inexperienced, talk to the boat rental about learning. The Coast Guard estimates that around 70% of boating deaths are due to operator inexperience and lack of safety directives and instruction.
Take Care of Your Tech
Another element of staying safe out on the water is to protect your technology. After all, you may need your cell phone in the event of an emergency, so make sure that you have the alerts turned on, have a way to charge it, and that you text your location when heading out. Keep your phone and charger in a dry bag when in or on the water.
Check the Life Jackets
You need a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on your boat; take a look to find out where these are stowed and how many there are before leaving the dock. Have inexperienced swimmers and children wear their life jackets at all times.
Learn to Swim
Do you know how to swim? Enroll in lessons if you plan to spend time at the beach this summer. If you have kids, start them out early; many recommend that children start swimming lessons in infancy.
Protect Yourself
Anytime you are at the beach, be sure to heed these basic precautions to protect yourself:
- Make sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water- particularly on hot days. Know that drinking alcohol will dehydrate you further.
- Be careful in the water for prolonged periods- especially if you are consuming alcohol. You increase your risk for hypothermia which can delay your reaction time, impair motor skills, and make you more prone to drowning.
- Always protect yourself against sunburn with frequent applications of waterproof sunscreen, at least 30 SPF. Wear a hat and sunglasses, too.
Enjoy the holiday weekend and keep yourself – and those around you – safe. When heading out on the water, keep these tips in mind.