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California Boating 

A Course for Safe Boating

103

Chapter 5

u

Accident Prevention and Rescue

Basics of Prevention

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Know and practice the basic safety guidelines and the law for your type

of boating.

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Always carry the proper safety equipment and know how to use it.

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Have a properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for everyone aboard

when boating.

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Have the proper clothing for your type of boating and for the weather and

water conditions.

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Be water safe by knowing how to swim and tread water.

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Always boat carefully and with good judgment. Stay within the limits of

your boating skills and equipment.

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Never boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs—it is against the law,

and extremely dangerous to you and others.

Basics of Rescue

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The first rule of any rescue situation is to never put yourself or other

rescuers in danger when trying to help someone. You don’t want to become

a victim and make the situation worse.

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Stay calm. Be sure to carefully judge the situation and condition of the

people involved.

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Plan how to use your own and others’ experience and resources to deal

with the situation. Experience is a key resource in any type of emergency

situation.

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Call for help on a phone or VHF radio.

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If the group size allows, send two or more persons together to get help.

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If you send someone for help, be sure the person knows the details of the

situation, knows where to find a phone or other means of communication,

knows who to contact, and either directs rescuers to the accident scene or

returns to the scene of the accident after successfully contacting authorities.

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Seek basic training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and

life-saving skills.

WEBSITE

For the most recent California

accident summary and statistics, visit

www.dbw.ca.gov/AccidentStats