Beacon Watch

boats, safety, sports

Water Sports

Winterizing your recreational boat correctly is certainly one of the least enjoyable aspects of owning a boat. But it is also one of the most important. With a relatively small investment of time and money, you can insure that your boat will be functioning perfectly when springtime rolls back around. Winterization is important financially (as it saves you from making potentially costly repairs), and it is also an important element of boating safety. (After all, should something go wrong over the course of the winter, there is a chance you may not realize it until the next time you are out on the water!)

Proper winterization involves a number of distinct steps that ultimately depend upon what kind of boat you have. If you are completely new to the process, we reccomend that you check out a comprehensive guide to winterization, such as this excellent resource offered by DiscoverBoating.com.

Regardless of your experience level, however, everyone makes mistakes sometimes. A mistake in winterization can lead to a potentially dangerous situation out on the water, though–which is why it’s important to keep these frequently overlooked steps in mind.

  1. Perform a deep clean and diagnostic examination. Taking the time to deep clean your boat at the end of boating season is an enormous favor that your future self will really appreciate come springtime. But it is also an important safety precaution–it allows you the chance to double-check for any potential problems that have arisen over the past months.
  2. Fill Gas Tank. This prevents condensation from leaving water in the tank. Some boaters claim that they would rather deal with the water problem than waste an entire tank of gas–however, this is ultimately short sighted. (And, with gasoline stabilizer, it is possible to prevent your gasoline from expiring anyway.)
  3. Always Leave the Boat Covered. This step is frequently overlooked by those who are storing their boats in an indoor garage. Because boating upholstery can potentially cost thousands to replace, however, (and because the unexpected does happen from time to time,) the small investment of a cover is always worth it.

Always Committed to Boating Safety.

Boating safety is an ongoing commitment that requires level-headedness, careful maintenance, and an investment in safety equipment. To learn more about the latest and greatest in boating safety equipment, visit Beacon Watch online today.

From swimming pools to a day on the lake—water offer endless recreation for people of all ages. However, it should not be ignored that, without proper care, water can present a serious danger to young children. It is very important, therefore, for parents to understand the basics of water safety both for themselves and for the children. Read on to learn more about how you can keep your children safe around water.

General Rules

  • Young children should always wear a lifejacket when in or around water.
  • Young children should always be supervised by an adult when in or around water.
  • These rules apply to even the smallest bodies of water, such as kiddie pools.

Rules for Boating

  • When it comes to boating, it is important for parents to remember that young children should wear their lifejackets, fully latched and properly placed, at all times. Though it is not always mandatory for adults to wear lifejackets, you may wish to consider wearing yours at all times in order to set a good example (and to keep yourself safe.)

Rules for the Pool

  • Backyard swimming pools must always be surrounded by a fence that prevents young children from entering unsupervised. This is one of the most important steps you can take in order to prevent drowning. NEVER allow you child to go near water unsupervised!
  • Spas and hot tubs are unsafe for young children as they can cause rapid overheating.

On Swimming Lessons

  • For children 5 years of age and older, swimming lessons are an important part of water safety. For children aged 1-4, water exposure and swimming lessons can make a difference, but parents should always assume that such children have zero swimming ability in order to prevent a dangerous situation.

Learn more…

With proper attention to safety, water recreation can be safe and fun for everyone! For more water safety information, visit the Beacon-Watch blog.

  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.

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.

3 Tips for Learning How to Swim

If you’re an adult who has never learned how to swim, don’t worry–you’re not alone.  According to a recent article published in Time Magazine, only 56% of Americans were able to pass a basic swimming exam that tested 5 core competencies.  Thankfully, learning to swim is much easier than you may think–and it can even be a lot of fun.  There are so many reasons to learn–ranging from improved health, to boosted self-confidence, to the ability to develop a lifelong hobby.  As a part of our commitment to improving water safety for everyone, Beacon Watch would also like to point out safety as another very important reason to learn.  That’s why we’re presenting these 3 tips for learning how to swim.

#1: Get Used to the Water!

The most effective way to learn swimming is by feeling comfortable and having fun.  (In fact, I would venture to say that is the most effective way to learn just about anything!)  That’s why an important first step should be simply getting used to the water.  Get into the shallow end of the pool (where you can still easily stand) and enjoy wading around.  Eventually, you’ll want to practice submerging yourself up to your neck, holding your breath underwater, and lifting both feet off the ground at the same time.  This will go a long way towards helping you feel more relaxed throughout the process.

#2: Find a Swimming Buddy

Once you’re ready to start practicing, it’s a good idea to bring a friend along.  Not only is this an important safety measure, it will also make the whole process a lot more fun.  Last but not least, you will have an experienced partner who can help point out areas for improvement in your form.

#3: Never Give Up!

Swimming, like most other sports, is very rewarding–but does require a bit of hard work.  The most important advice anyone can give, therefore, is to stay committed! You’ll be glad you did!

 

For more information on water and ski safety, check out the Beacon Watch website today!

Bring the Right Equipment!

Safe boating is all about responsibility–and that responsibility starts before ever getting in the water. One important step to take before voting is making sure that you comply with all standardized list of required equipment. You can see a full list of all federally required items to be carried on recreational boats here. in this article, we will highlight three important items that are most likely to be overlooked.

Number one – fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are not just for large vessels. When you’re on the water, help can be very slow in arriving, and fire damage can quickly render a boat unserviceable. Make sure that you have a fire extinguisher on hand at all times.

Number 2 – sound producing device and visual distress signal

In the event of a water emergency, it is crucial to alert other people in the surrounding area. This both allows them to help you, and prevents you from becoming a danger to them. Though radios can come in very handy for reporting incident to the proper authorities, visual and audio signals remain the most effective way of learning your fellow boaters share the water with you.

Number 3 – Personal flotation device

How did life jackets land on this list of items likely to be forgotten during a boating outing? After all, most boaters do understand the importance of bringing along life jackets. Sadly, many boaters feel that they do not need to wear their life jackets at all times – thus exposing themselves to unnecessary danger.

A final word

As we mentioned before, the above list was incomplete, and is only intended to highlight a few important items. Be sure to visit this link for a full list of required items. Last but not least, it is important to remember that some important items are not necessarily required, but are still worth investing in. For many, especially extreme sports enthusiasts, a personal locator beacon is a perfect example of this.

Visit the Beacon Watch Blog for more information on boating safety.