Almost everyone enjoys going to the beach and having fun in the water. Many different kinds of water sports are available; many people participate in several different activities.
Some popular choices include boating, fishing, skiing, tubing, jet skis, sailing, and swimming.
To properly enjoy any water sports activity, participants should be aware of and follow all safety measures associated with the sport. Unfortunately, many people need to take the basic precautionary steps to avoid dangerous situations.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), approximately twelve (12) people die every day from water-related accidents. So taking appropriate precautions is definitely worth the effort.
TOP SAFETY MEASURES FOR WATER SPORTS
According to the experts, the top safety measures include:
- One should know how to swim. Take swimming lessons and learn the sport from trained professionals. Children should be taught how to swim early so that they feel safe and comfortable whenever they are near the water.
- Always wear a life jacket when you are boating or engaged in any other activity on or in the water. A life jacket or other appropriate personal flotation device (PFD) is always beneficial. It doesn’t matter whether you are a good swimmer or not; if you get caught in a situation where it is difficult for you to swim, you need to be wearing a life vest. If you are riding on an inflatable towable tube, jet skiing, or even sailing and fall in the water, a life vest will keep you afloat while waiting for assistance.
- Drowning is the second leading cause of death among young children. Children should always have adult supervision when near or in the water to avoid dangerous situations. Under no circumstances should they be permitted to go alone or perform any water sport activity on their own. Most public pools, beaches, or swimming areas have rules regarding the age of children allowed to be present without adult supervision.
- Never drink alcohol during any water sport activity or when supervising children. The use of alcohol is involved in almost half of the deaths associated with recreational water activities. Show those around you that you can have fun and enjoy being in or on the water without any alcohol or drugs.
- Before going out for any water sports event, be well prepared. Make sure you have the necessary equipment and accessories and that they are in good condition. If you happen to be pulling riders on recreational tubes, such as a Sportsstuff Big Mable, make sure the tow behind the tube is properly inflated; if you are pulling skiers, make sure the bindings/fittings for their feet are secure. Always ensure that the tow ropes are correct for the appropriate number of riders or skiers.
- If boating, take all necessary steps and measures to ensure that everyone is safe onboard. Confirm that there are enough life jackets for each rider and that the boat has a ship-to-shore radio, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, flare, horn, or whistle. These accessories should be on hand when out on a boat, and every adult, even children, should know where these items are located and how to use them in an emergency.
- Your friends and family should be aware of your intended location, so they can keep track of you, and know where to go if there is a need to locate you. Avoid performing activities like fishing, boating, jet skiing, or swimming. Even if you prefer solitude, from a safety perspective, it’s better to have another companion with you. Scuba divers know they should always have a buddy; it’s also a good idea for other water sports activities.
- Never force anyone to be involved in any water sport, if they are not comfortable with the sport or even being in the water, or properly understand what to do. We all love to share our excitement and experience with family and friends, but if they don’t want to water ski, don’t make them. It’s much better for everyone involved if the decision to participate is made by that person, signaling they are ready to learn and spend the time and effort to practice.
- If going out on the water, know the weather forecast. Plan your fun by the weather conditions on that day or weekend. Even when out on the water, keep an eye out for any changes in the weather. Be prepared to get out of the water quickly if you see unpleasant conditions developing.
Recreational water sports and other water activities are performed to enjoy and have fun. By following these safety measures, we can avoid accidents and injuries. Therefore, our top priority should be to keep ourselves and our families safe during these enjoyable activities.
