Posted by Steven on 2/14/2014
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Marina
Most days out on the water are uneventful. You head out in your boat, maybe catch a few fish if you're lucky and enjoy some cold drinks and good conversation with friends. Or you go alone and enjoy the peace and quiet while you catch fish and take in nature.
However, the unexpected can happen. You can have an emergency while you are on your boat that could put your safety in jeopardy. Your boat could run out of gas. You could hit something and spring a leak. You could be injured in a storm or by an animal. It is important to prepare for these eventualities to keep yourself as safe as possible.
Here are a few things you should do to prepare for emergencies on your boat:
Learn to Swim
Life vests and other flotation devices are important to keep on hand in case your boat goes down or you are thrown from the boat and can’t get back on it. However, they can’t get you back to shore or to another safe point, and you may not always have one on when an emergency happens. It is important that you know how to swim in case of such emergencies to help get you to a safe place.
Stock Emergency Equipment
An emergency kit can help you get through most minor incidents. Stock flares to call for help. Stock a flashlight in case you get stranded at night. Include a hunting knife to help you cut rope and more. Buy a basic emergency kit or create your own.
Put Together a First Aid Kit
Accidents out on the water can cause injuries, and since you can’t get assistance right away, those injuries could become serious. It is important to have a good first aid kit on your boat to provide triage for those injuries or to treat minor injuries like cuts and scrapes. Include basic items like gauge and ointment, as well as a few items for more serious treatment, such as tourniquets and medical tape.
