The United States Coast Guard mandates that a certain set of safety equipment be present on any recreational boat. This list includes a number of basic items that are absolutely crucial for emergency mitigation. However, there are a number of other items that aren’t legally required, but can make a huge difference in your safety and enjoyment of the trip. Here are our top ten items all boaters should bring along on all outings. A first aid kit. Though not a legal requirement, having … [Read more...]
Cross-Country Skiing Safety
7 Rules to Help you Stay Safe in Any Situation Google “Skiing Safety” and the first several pages worth of results will be virtually nothing but downhill skiing related. On a certain level, this makes sense--after all, there are many inherent dangers of downhill skiing that are unique to the sport. That being said, cross-country skiing still carries its own risks, and it’s important to be aware of them before embarking on a cross-country ski outing. Here are 7 important rules that can help … [Read more...]
What is a Personal Locator Beacon?
On the Beacon Watch website, we describe our SeaMe™ personal locator beacon as “the smallest life preserver that could save your life.” But what exactly is a personal locator beacon, and how can it help keep you and your family safe? Read on to find out! On The Water In emergency situations, time is almost always of the essence--and this is especially true in water-related emergencies. When someone is injured in the water, for example, there is nothing more important than getting them back … [Read more...]
Performing a Water Rescue
Drowning can happen in a matter of minutes. That’s why it’s very important to act quickly in water-related emergencies. Knowing how to act can make a huge difference in your ability to save someone’s life! Assess the Situation Know what to do before you act. Rescue situations can be very stressful, however if you are panicking, you yourself are more likely to make a mistake. So do your best to stay calm and collected. First of all, determine if the victim is indeed drowning. Remember that some … [Read more...]
Why Learn Different Swimming Strokes?
Why Learn Different Swimming Strokes? As you could probably guess, learning how to swim proficiently is one of the most important steps you can take in order to be safer in the water. According to the organization USA Swimming, formal swimming lessons dramatically decrease the risk of drowning—especially for young children. This fact highlights the importance of learning how to swim, and learning how to swim well! How can one improve their swimming even after mastering “the basics?” One … [Read more...]