Water tips help keep summertime safe, fun
It's almost summer! Or, at least the North Idaho equivalent. We're all looking forward to those long days at the beach or on the lake, but there are some safety precautions we should all take to ensure a happy summer season spent far away from the emergency room.
Though the days may be getting warmer, the water is still cold. It's fine to participate in early-season lake activities like water-skiing and tubing, but keep in mind that hypothermia could still be a risk. Avoid prolonged exposure to the water and be sure to wear your personal floatation device (PFD) at all times. Children are especially susceptible to the dangers of hypothermia, so be sure to keep a close eye on them and encourage them to get out of the water and warm up at regular intervals.
Signs of hypothermia are the same in summer as they are in winter; you feel cold and start to shiver uncontrollably, you lose manual dexterity and coordination, and you may suffer mental impairment. All of these things make it very difficult to swim or even stay afloat in an icy river or lake. If you spend a great deal of time in the water during the early and late summer, a wet suit might be a good investment. Not only do they help keep you warmer, but they also provide additional buoyancy.
If you're a boat owner, it might be a good idea to improve your knowledge and skills by taking a boating safety course. Even experienced boaters sometimes need to brush up on rules and regulations, not to mention safety regulations. Every year, thousands of people are killed or injured in boating accidents, many of which could have been prevented. Most of us have heard quite a few of these "boating horror stories" that happened right here on Lake Pend Oreille. One of the most important things to remember is that boating and alcohol can be a deadly combination. Ironically, many of us who would never think of driving our cars while intoxicated drive a boat in dangerous states of impairment every weekend.
One of the most popular ways to enjoy the lake is by personal watercraft - otherwise known as a jet ski. Personal watercraft injuries can be very serious because there is so little protection to riders. Usually, injuries sustained on these devices are the result of a collision with another vessel, a log or other obstacle, or from simply losing control. Head and back injuries are common, as are fractures and lacerations. Currently, the Personal Watercraft Industry Association recommends wearing a wet suit, gloves, protective eyewear and footwear, as well as a good-fitting PDF.
We need to keep a particularly close eye on our kids during the summer months. Naturally, they'll be spending more time outside, and nothing draws a kid like water. Be sure your children are supervised by an adult at all times - especially when around any body of water. Remember a small child can drown in as little as an inch of water, so even that nearly-empty pond in the back yard could be very dangerous. When swimming or boating, make sure your child is wearing a properly fitted PFD. Water-wings, tubes, or other toys are not meant for safety use and may not prevent your child from drowning. If your child is old enough, swimming lessons would be a good idea. It might also be helpful for parents or caregivers to learn CPR, so that they will know what to do if a crisis situation occurs.
In fact, CPR training is always a good idea as is any general emergency preparedness. If you're out on the lake, make sure you have a cell phone or an operational radio to call for help, and always make sure you have a basic first aid kit. Carry extra PDFs, just in case you take on any passengers (law requires at least one PFD per passenger), a flash light and some extra drinking water, just in case of an emergency. Not to sound cliche, but it's better to be safe than sorry.