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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 keep you safe!

  • Before heading out, make sure that someone not on the skiing expedition knows where you are going and when you plan on returning.  Should any kind of emergency arise, you’ll be glad you did.
  • If you will be skiing on unmarked trails, it’s important to bring a map, a compass, and possibly other means of ascertaining your location.
  • If you plan on being out for a significant amount of time, it is usually a good idea to bring both food and drinks in order to prevent dehydration and/or low blood sugar.
  • Dress warm!  Remember, it’s always easier to take off a layer than it is to go back home for more!
  • Obey all posted signs, especially those regarding rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Unless specifically stated otherwise, always assume that frozen bodies of water are unsafe!
  • Stay in groups! Groups of three or more are ideal, that way should one skier encounter an emergency situation an/or injury, he/she will have someone to stay with them while the other goes for help.
  • Be aware of the right of way! Always exercise caution when passing other skiers, especially when on a downhill trajectory.

For more important information on ski safety and ski safety equipment, visit the Beacon Watch website. Stay safe!

Whether for sport or for recreation, on a lake or in the open sea; few things are more enjoyable than a day of boating. No matter where you may be boating, it is always important to prioritize safety.  This is not to say that safety must take a back seat to fun–in fact, the two often go hand-in-hand. Here are four simple tips that can help improve both safety and enjoyment at the same time!

1. Remember to fill up on gas.

Nothing can more easily ruin a day on the water than running out of fuel and becoming stranded. Particularly when out in the ocean, it is crucial to keep a close eye on the fuel gauge and to not take risks when determining how long your boat can run on a single tank. Becoming lost at sea and immobile can be irritating at best and life-threatening at worst.

2. Take note of weather and of water currents.

Before you start your boat and head out into the water, it is important to first check the weather to make sure that no storms are approaching. Excessively large waves and lightning can be a safety hazard, causing damage to your boat and putting passengers at risk. Strong currents in the ocean can also pull you far off course, so be wary of these as well.

3. Pack the proper equipment.

Boating is always safer (not to mention more enjoyable) with the proper equipment around. This should include, at the very least, lifejackets for everyone on board, a compass or GPS (if on the ocean), a first aid kit, and a flotation device for rescue from the water. Food/snacks and drinking water are usually not bad investments either. See the Beacon-Watch online store for more important boating safety equipment!

4. Understand your boat and the rules of boating

This subject is not quite as straightforward as the others, seeing as all boats are different in size and shape, as are local/state boating laws. However, this may be one of the most important rules, as understanding how your boat works and what its capabilities are–as well as the universal and local rules of boating–is crucially essential to safety. To earn this kind of knowledge, you may want (or, some cases, actually be required by your local government) to attend a boating class.

Check out more articles in the Beacon-Watch blog for more important boating safety advice!

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.

    1. A first aid kit. Though not a legal requirement, having bandages, gauze, antiseptic cream, and other first aid items is a big safety bonus.
    2. Sun protection.  For your long-term safety and your short-term comfort, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must.
    3. Waterproof bag. This will help you keep items that must stay dry (cameras, towels, clothes, documents, etc.) dry.
    4. Water. Dehydration can creep up quickly on hot days full of fun and action!
    5. Jumper cables. Should you experience unexpected battery problems, this could save the day.  If you see someone with battery troubles, you can be their hero,
    6. Rope.  This will allow you to tie up to docks; it will also allow you to tow other boats to safety in an emergency situation.
    7. Swiss army knife/multi-tool.  Be prepared for minor maintenance issues!
  • Emergency locator beacon.  In water-based emergencies, every second is precious.  Emergency locator beacons can play an important role in rescue missions.  Whether you’re just relaxing at sea, or engaging in extreme water sports, it’s definitely worth considering the benefits an emergency locator beacon could offer should a dangerous situation arise.

SeaMe™

The SeaMe™ emergency locator beacon by Beacon Watch is designed with you in mind!  Featuring patented technology and a three year battery life, the SeaMe™ is always ready at a moment’s notice.  Contact us today for more information.

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 keep you safe!

  1. Before heading out, make sure that someone not on the skiing expedition knows where you are going and when you plan on returning.  Should any kind of emergency arise, you’ll be glad you did.
  2. If you will be skiing on unmarked trails, it’s important to bring a map, a compass, and possibly other means of ascertaining your location.
  3. If you plan on being out for a significant amount of time, it is usually a good idea to bring both food and drinks in order to prevent dehydration and/or low blood sugar.
  4. Dress warm!  Remember, it’s always easier to take off a layer than it is to go back home for more!  
  5. Obey all posted signs, especially those regarding rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, always assume that frozen bodies of water are unsafe!
  6. Stay in groups!  Groups of three or more are ideal, that way should one skier encounter an emergency situation an/or injury, he/she will have someone to stay with them while the other goes for help.
  7. Be aware of the right of way!  Always exercise caution when passing other skiers, especially when on a downhill trajectory.

For more important information on ski safety and ski safety equipment, visit the Beacon Watch website.  Stay safe!

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 onto the boat quickly in order to treat their wound and to prevent the risk of drowning.  Cold or turbulent water can also be extremely risky, even if the victim isn’t necessarily injured.  A personal locator beacon can be crucial in these kinds of situations.  At the press of a button, a distress signal is released.  Connected smartphones will receive notification, along with the victim’s exact location. The SeaMe™ beacon even includes a flashing LED light, which can make search and rescue much easier.

On The Slopes

The SeaMe™ personal locator beacon isn’t just for the water, however. Personal locator beacons can be lifesaving in a number of professional and sporting situations–and one activity that lends itself especially to the use of a locator beacon is skiing.  Due to a number of risks such as crashing, avalanches, and tree wells, (along with the added danger of extremely cold weather) skiers can also end up in situations that require rapid rescue. Once again, a personal locator beacon can be the difference between life and death in such moments.

What Makes the SeaMe™ Special?

There are a number of personal locator beacons on the market, however we believe that the SeaMe™ beacon is especially useful due to its smartphone compatibility, LED light, and patented technology that allows the beacon to be always ready at a moment’s notice with no power switch.  Visit the Beacon Watch website for more information on this potentially lifesaving technology.

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 victims may be struggling so hard that it is difficult for them to cry out. You will also want to identify exactly where the victim is in order to best respond to his/her needs.

Get Help

If there is a lifeguard or other trained professional in the vicinity, get their help, as they will be better prepared to handle an emergency situation. Even if you determine that you must act yourself, it is still always smarter to alert everyone else to what is going on so that they can assist you in the rescue. This also decreases your chances of becoming a victim yourself. Last but not least, be certain that somebody contacts emergency services.

Get the Drowning Person Out of the Water

In some situations, it is possible to perform a rescue by merely casting a floatation device on a line. If the victim appears able to respond to such help, and if you are close enough in proximity for this to be an effective option, it is preferable. Going in after a drowning victim can be dangerous, so other options should be exhausted first. Only go in if your swimming skills are strong enough to actually help in the situation–not if you will only need rescuing yourself, which will further complicate efforts! In the event that you do need to go in after the victim, bring a floatation device with you! The victim’s first response may very well be to attempt to climb on top of you, without realizing that this could sink you both!

Access the Victim’s ABC’s

Check the victim’s airway, breathing, and circulation to ensure that their vital signs are functioning. If necessary, you may need to perform CPR and/or contact emergency services. Even if the victim appears to be okay, it is important to stay alert in order to guard against risks such as hypothermia.