Beacon Watch

boats, safety, sports

Cold Weather Safety

        Boating accidents. We all like to think they cannot happen to us. However, while the odds of a boating emergency are slim, particularly for those who follow the proper safety protocol, even the most diligent and careful boater can find himself or herself in an emergency. The difference between your boating accident being an inconvenience and a disaster is the difference between coming prepared and failing to do what is necessary to prepare. So what can you do to prepare your boat and your crew for the worst? Below are a few tips on preparing your boat for an accident—before and after you have left the dock.

  1. Have your boat inspected regularly. If you have the proper knowledge to check all of the different aspects of your boat to ensure safety, do so on a regular basis. If not, it is possible to take advantage of boat inspections given free by the US Coast Guard.
  2. Have lifejackets—and wear them. Many people keep their vessels stocked with a good number of lifejackets—which is of course, at least as many as there are people on the boat. However, some people make the mistake of not putting them on until an emergency occurs. This can be a problem because many accidents happen too fast to anticipate.
  3. Tell someone, preferably a trusted adult friend or the crew at the local marina, where you will be going and when you plan to return. This will help people realize much sooner if you have become stranded or cannot return to shore for some other reason.
  4. Bring some kind of signaling beacon in order to help signal help if you are in need of it. This will help the authorities locate you and rescue you if an emergency occurs.

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  Because no boat is entirely trustworthy—think of the Titanic—even if you are the greatest boater in the world, you may one day need to be able to survive in the water without it. This is why one of the most important aspects of boating safety actually has nothing to do with boats. Swimming is one of the most crucial skills to a safe boater, and, of all of the different methods of staying afloat, treading water may be the most useful to a boater. This is because rather than trying to swim to the shore, the passenger of a capsized boat is typically simply waiting where he or she is in order to be rescued. Below are 5 steps on how to tread water efficiently and correctly.

  • Do not try to swim. When swimming, you turn your body horizontally in the water and kick your legs. However, when treading water, you keep your body upright and use both your arms and legs.
  • Move your arms horizontally, and your legs back and forth in a circular motion.
  • Do not panic. Additionally, continue breathing normally. Panicking and hyperventilating can only waste your energy and make it more difficult to actually stay above the water.
  • Lie on your back if you are having trouble staying afloat in the normal position. This will also become difficult after a while, but it uses different muscles and different technique than regular water treading, so it may help you rest and stay afloat longer.
  • Use anything around you to stay afloat. This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you happen to see any floating debris—wood, garbage, etc—in the water, do not hesitate to grab onto it.

Looking for more ways to stay safe while boating? Check out BeaconWatch today for state of the art boating safety solutions.

Ski Safety in Cold Weather

Whenever a skier hits the slopes there is some basic knowledge– some universal rules and guidelines — that every winter athlete is expected to know: properly yield to other skiers, know how to use a chairlift, obey all the signs, know how to fall, stay in control of yourself based on your ability, and so on. Since skiing is a winter sport, it is especially incumbent upon a skier to respect the weather and follow some basic cold weather advice.  

First, you should be properly prepared for an outing in the cold. Eat, stretch and be hydrated before you begin to ski, and allow for breaks during your day so you can get a snack and a drink of water. The emphasis on food is important not only for your comfort, but primarily because the body needs calories to stay warm. Skiing is an intense activity that burns a lot of fuel, so don’t underestimate the amount of calories you may need to stay warm.

You should wear sunscreen to protect yourself from ultraviolet rays, and be properly dressed for cold weather. Avoid cotton clothing which tends to stay damp and wet, and choose fabrics that are water-resistant and that wick moisture away from the body. If children are in your group you should check on them regularly to make sure their clothing is dry and their noses are not too red.  One great way to keep track of their location is with a GPS system like the kind offered by BeaconWatch. Their SeaMe monitor can help you locate anyone on the slopes in no time.

Finally, you should be familiar with the park terrain. If the weather turns bad, you don’t want to be lost on the slopes or not know where a shelter is. Look at a trail map before skiing so you will have your bearings no matter where you are located. Following these common sense winter weather precautions will make your outing both safer and more enjoyable.