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Safety Tips for Tubing at the Lake

Tubing on Pleasant Lake, Cass County, MN

Image via Wikipedia

Everyone loves a good day at the lake; the sun, the water and the fun all add up to an awesome day. Add to the mix tubing and the day goes from good to great. Tubing can be fun and exciting, but it can also be very dangerous, especially for the inexperienced. Here are a few rules to follow to make for a safe day:

Rule 1:

Always be sure that everyone on the water is wearing a life vest; this is not disputable. Accidents happen even to the seasoned swimmer. Safety comes first.

Rule 2:

The driver of the boat needs to keep his speed low. For an experienced tuber 25 mph is good. For an inexperienced tuber 10 mph is good.

Rule3:

Always have a spotter in the boat to watch the tuber. If the tuber falls off the driver can then circle back to pick them up.

Rule 4:

Teach your tubers to use signals to inform the spotter that they are fine when falling off the tube.

Rule 5:

Stay away from other boats while towing a tuber. Accidents have happened where a tuber has been pulled into the propellers of another boat. It is often difficult to see someone in a wake if you do not know they are there.

Rule 6:

Make sure that everyone on the water applies suntan lotion. The reflection of the sun off the water can cause very bad burns.

Tubing can be fun for everyone. Take a few precautions and be safe while enjoying a great day tubing at the lake.

Filed Under: Lake Sports, Safety Tagged With: , ,

Boating As A Recreational Activity Is On The Rise

Boating is a fun filled recreational activity and many people prefer to be on the sea. There are also other activities which can be undertaken while boating such as, fishing, parasailing, and diving among others. There are different types of boats available, for example power boats, sail boats which might involve rowing or paddling. Which ever type of boat a person uses, they should enjoy the sea and its fun to go boating in a group. If a person owns a boat, he or she should have proper licenses and have proper storage place for their boats and learn to sail.

There are also boats available for hire for people interested in boating. They can choose the type of boat they want to hire. If they do not know boating, they can also hire a person to sail a boat. In most places, flotation device might not be necessary but in some places they insist on tourists wearing one. It’s especially good for people who do not know swimming.

Boat racing is another adventure sport which is famous in many countries. It might not be a regular sport which is played through out the year but can be seasonal. It attracts lots of tourists and local crowd. Boating per se is very exciting and to watch such events is fun for tourists. As any other sport, boating also requires some safety measures. For example everyone on board should either wear personal flotation device or keep it in handy in the boat. Fire extinguishers, some sort of alarm system, first-aid kits, a radio or mobile phone to communicate any emergency situation is a must is a boat.

Filed Under: Camping, Sports Tagged With: , ,

Boating Safely

If you are a sports enthusiast and one who likes to engage in adventure sports, you are most likely to be a big fan of boating. Boating is a great adventure sports and it could be lot of fun and excitement. It would give you a chance to discover new and exotic places. However, boating could also be dangerous and life-threatening, if you do not take the necessary steps required to take part in what could be called “Safe Boating”.

The first and foremost rule when you are boating is that you should not be doing so under the influence of alcohol. As driving and drinking do not go together, so do boating and drinking. Boating under the influence of alcohol could be the perfect recipe for disaster and should be avoided at all costs. Some people who go for boating try to act smart and flaunt around their heroism by not wearing the right kind of safety gears. This is not being smart but being plain and simple foolish to say the least. Remember, boating could be all smooth sailing but one big wave or a rough bout of weather could turn things topsy turvy. Hence wearing the right gear and carrying the necessary safety and rescue equipment could save your life in the mid-waters. Do not get into a boating expedition if you are not trained to boat safely and properly. It is always advisable to undergo a small bit of training before you actually get into expedition boating. Even if you are a reasonably good hand in boating, it would make better sense to boat in a safe zone, where escape could be easier in case of an emergency. Before getting into the river or sea, check that all your equipment and materials are in place and are in working order. See that the fuel and oil levels are at the optimum level and the engines are working properly. The next golden rule for safe boating is to ensure that you do not boat alone, even if you are a skilled boater.

Filed Under: Lake Sports, Safety Tagged With: , , ,

Kayaking- A Fun Ride for Everyone

One water adventure that lasts year round for many people is Kayaking. Also referred to as Paddling, it’s often times a solitary trip. Though there are Kayaks that seat two or more individuals, most are one seaters making it a peaceful trip. Just you, a small boat, and the surrounding nature. There are various styles of Kayaks for different uses-fishing, whitewater, open deck, ocean, day trips, or the classic closed deck that protects the lower body from the spray of water.

As with any sport there are safety precautions that must be taken.

  • Most important for any water event is to wear a life jacket and take a first aid kit. Carry a whistle with you in case of emergency and you need help.
  • Find out the day’s weather and if there will be any forecast changes.
  • Have a “float plan”. Leave a note or itinerary of when and where you’re going to people on share are aware of you leaving.
  • Bring drinking water, at least a gallon if doing a day trip.
  • Wear bright colors when paddling out-preferably yellow or orange as those can be seen from far distances.
  • Flotation bags would be a good investment. They are devices put at the front and rear of the Kayak that keep it afloat if it overturns.
  • A water pump in case of capsize. The device gets the water out of the boat, allowing you to get back in your boat quicker.

It’s also a good idea to take a first aid and rescue class that deals with how to get back in your kayak if the boat overturns. Instructors tell you how to handle the situation, including if you’re injured and can’t lift your body back inside. There are numerous businesses that teach the class or you can find videos online documenting safety measures.

Now that you’re prepared, get out there and paddle away!

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: , ,

Staying Safe on the Boat

Severn class lifeboat, Poole Harbour, Dorset. ...
Image via Wikipedia

Boating is a lot of fun. It’ a great way to enjoy time outdoors while getting some fresh air. It’s also fun and exciting! But in order to really have fun on the boat, you need to make sure you are safe. Like the old saying goes, i’s better to be safe than sorry. When you are ready to head out on the lake in your boat, be sure to keep these safety tips in mind.

1. Always wear a life jacket. This goes for everyone on the boat. Every person on the boat should have a life jacket on that fits well.

2. Don’t drink alcohol. In fact, it is against the law to drink alcohol while driving a boat in the U.S. You’ll avoid very simple mistakes, as well as the big ones, if you don’t drink while on the boat.

3. Drink plenty of water. You may not think about drinking water and staying hydrated while you are surrounded by water, but the truth is that you need to drink water, and lots of it, while out on the boat. This is especially true in the summer time when the heat can zap your energy.

4. Wear sunscreen. Nothing can ruin your fun faster than a really bad sunburn. Wear sunscreen and a hat to shade yourself from the sun. If you plan on being out on the boat all day, take the sunscreen with you and reapply every couple of hours.

5. The same is true with bug spray. All kinds of bugs will be attracted to you out on the lake. Wear insect repellant to keep the pesky bugs, and their bites, away.

Boating can be a lot of fun, especially when the weather is nice and the sun is shining. Take a few precautions when you are out on the boat and you’ll be in for a great day on the lake.

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: , ,