Enjoy the water, but focus on safety

For many Macomb County residents, boating is a favorite pastime. According to current data, Macomb County has more than 53,000 registered pleasure craft owners, ranking it among the top boating counties in the nation. With various lakes and rivers easily accessible in Southeast Michigan, some enthusiastic area residents spend hundreds of hours on the water each summer. Boating can be great fun, but the emergency team at McLaren Macomb reminds you that safety is the key to a good time.

The breeze and spray off the water can sometimes disguise intense heat while boating, putting some boaters at risk for heat exhaustion. Symptoms include severe thirst, fatigue, muscle cramps, weakness, increased sweating, headache, fast/shallow breathing, dizziness, confusion and rapid heart beat. To prevent heat exhaustion, drink plenty of fluids, preferably water and sports drinks. Tea, coffee, soda and alcohol should be avoided. In addition, wear lightweight, loose fitting clothing in light colors.

Other important boating safety tips include:

• Before boating, check the weather conditions. This is an easy yet important step, even for short boat trips. Whether you’re out on the water longer than originally planned, or if weather conditions change rapidly, severe weather can create significant dangers for boaters.
• Never drink alcohol while operating a boat. Each year, many of the reported boating accidents and fatalities in Michigan involve alcohol. Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law, and extremely dangerous.
• Always wear a life jacket onboard. According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, over 90% of drowning victims in 2009 were not wearing life jackets. Remember, adult-sized life jackets are not appropriate for children, and do not provide the same safety benefits as child-sized life jackets.

For more information on boating safety, visit www.mclaren.org/MacombTrauma.