NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
April 30, 1998
It's almost like a collective rite of passage. Every year many outdoor revelers seem willing to let some of their common sense escape. But when it comes to water safety, an instructor at North Dakota State University says those bound for this region's various streams and lakes should let common sense rule.
"Most of the safety issues involving watercraft and water activities deal with basic common sense, but there are also some guidelines people should be aware of," says Roman Horejsi, an assistant professor in NDSU's health, physical education and recreation department.
Probably the most basic rule is that drinking alcoholic beverages and boating don't mix, says Horejsi. Common sense and state law also demand that watercraft be equipped with the appropriate number of personal flotation devices—one for every adult and every child on board.
Life Jackets for Boating and Swimming
"When boating, adults need to wear life jackets for two reasons: to ensure their own safety and to set a good example," says Horejsi. "When it comes to swimming, children who've learned to swim should probably wear a life jacket until they become comfortable swimming in a lake, but supervision is really the key."
Horejsi adds, "Parents should enroll their children in an aquatics class as early as age 3 to get them acquainted with water, but it's really unrealistic to expect children to be able to swim until they've reached age 5 or 6. Learning to swim depends upon individual ability so some will become swimmers quicker than others."
Balance in the Boat
Operators of motorized and larger nonmotorized watercraft need to refer to the boat's capacity plate in order to position passengers so that weight is distributed evenly front to back and side to side, says Horejsi. Operators of small watercraft, such as canoes, must pay particular attention to weight distribution when they and their passengers climb into the boat, or else they may end up in the water before their oars do.
"In a small craft like a canoe, only one occupant should be moving in the boat at a time," stresses Horejsi. "People have a tendency to be in a hurry and that's when accidents occur. If a small craft capsizes, stay with it because it will support you. It's not as stable as before, but it will support you."
Rules of the Waves/Rules of the Road
There currently is no set of safety guidelines for operating the newer personal watercraft commonly called jet skis, says Horejsi. Until training becomes available from the U.S. Coast Guard or an organization such as the American Red Cross, jet-ski operators should follow the guidelines established for other watercraft. Depending upon the state, there may be laws establishing age and certification requirements as well.
Many of the guidelines for operating all types of watercraft are the same rules that apply to automobiles. For instance, yield to boats approaching from the right-hand side, and keep to the right when meeting watercraft, says Horejsi. In addition, motorized boats must yield to nonmotorized watercraft of all sizes, not just small craft like canoes. Operators of motorized watercraft should be aware of noise levels and the wave action they're creating, especially when they're maneuvering around other boats or running close to shore.
One difference between driving boats and driving cars is that a boat can pass on either the right or left, but it's a good idea for the operator of the passing boat to sound its horn or a whistle as a warning signal.
There are no safety programs available for water activities such as skiing and tubing, so applying common sense is again the rule, says Horejsi. For example, there should be two people in any boat that's pulling skiers: the driver and a lookout who can alert the driver when someone falls. And all water activities should be performed a safe distance from shore—100 yards or so, depending upon lake depth.
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Source: Roman Horejsi (701) 231-8682
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136