Prevent Boating Injuries And Accidental Drownings With These Safety Tips

The events surrounding the recent death of a man who fell overboard during rough weather at sea highlight the reality that boating involves a certain amount of risk for injury. While charting a boat or yacht is a great way to travel to beautiful islands or entertain business partners and clients, it's important to take steps to ensure everyone remains safe during the excursion. Here are a few tips for staying safe on the water.

Safety Vests

You would be correct in saying that a safety vest is not the sexiest thing you could wear on a boat. However, these flotation devices can save someone's life. According to the Center for Disease Control, boating accidents accounted for 3,358 injuries and 736 deaths in 2009. Approximately 9 out of every 10 cases, the people involved were not wearing life vests.

It may not be appropriate or feasible for your boating guests to wear safety vests every moment they are on the boat. However, you should definitely start passing them out if you hit rough water or bad weather while at sea.

Opt for a Crew

Skippering a boat yourself is a lot of fun and may be a viable option if there will only be 2 or 3 other people on board. If the group is larger than that, you'll want to opt for a crewed charter. In addition to taking care of issues like food service and cleaning, the crew can help keep guests safe.

Many are trained in emergency first aid measures that can be used to help an injured person until professional medical assistance can be obtained. Captains will also know exactly where help can be found in the event of an emergency. Lastly, the captain's word is law while on the water. This authority can be very persuasive when it comes to dealing with unruly or uncooperative guests.

Keep Alcohol Consumption to a Minimum

Alcohol is an essential part of entertaining. Unfortunately, alcohol and boating don't mix well. It can be difficult for a sober person to remain steady and upright on the boat, particularly in choppy waters. Add in alcohol's deleterious effect on a person's muscles and sense of balance and you have a situation where someone could easily fall overboard.

You don't have to cut your guests off completely, but you may want to institute a limit to the number of drinks a person can have while on board. Most people will understand if you explain your safety concerns.

For more information on how you can make boating safer for yourself and your guests, connect with a corporate charter boat company near you.

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