Personal Watercraft Safety Course

Personal Watercraft Safety Course

Learn to Swim and Float The ability to swim and float is basic to personal safety anytime you are in or near the water. These skills may help you save yourself as well as others. One gauge of swimming ability is being able to swim 100 yards using any stroke and to tread water for five minutes. If you are unsure of your skills or know that you need improvement, contact your local recreation center for practice times or swimming lessons. Factors that Can Affect Your Judgment, Health and Safety Natural stressors, such as sun (temperature and glare), wind, waves, vibration and noise may affect your judgment and put you at greater risk for a mishap. Drug and alcohol use also affect your judgment, health and safety. It is important to watch your own condition, as well as that of those you are boating with. It is often easier to see early signs of fatigue in others than in yourself. Impact of Stressors: „ „ Increased physical and mental fatigue „ „ Clouded judgement „ „ Slowed reaction time „ „ Boaters placed in dangerous situations ranging from severe sunburn to boat collisions To Reduce the Impact of Stressors: „ „ Limit exposure to the stressors „ „ Drink plenty of water „ „ Eat energy-providing foods, such as energy bars or fruit „ „ Be well rested and take frequent breaks „ „ Wear 100% UV protection sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and proper clothing

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