The Importance of Taking a Boating Safety Course

Hitting the open water in a boat is lots of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Before taking to the waves, it is crucial that every person on board knows how to handle an emergency. For this reason, the importance of taking a boating safety course cannot be overstated. This extra precaution could save you or a loved one’s life in a crisis situation.

Why is Taking a Boating Safety Course Recommended?

Boating may seem pretty intuitive, especially to people who have done it before. For folks that have grown up near the water, taking a boating safety course might seem like overkill. However, the fact is that you can never be too prepared.

Proper education can save lives and prevent tragedies. These professional courses can help boat enthusiasts to become better acquainted with a number of rules and regulations that are specifically designed to keep us safe on the water.

Sure, we’ve talked about the basics of boating safety in the past, but nothing can compare to taking a boating safety course. These dedicated classes offer comprehensive information with recently updated information. Much in the same way that we recommend getting re-certified for CPR training, boating safety rules can change over time. It never hurts to keep up-to-date. In fact, it can only help!

Safety on the High Seas

No matter where you will be boating, drowning is always a risk. In fact, here are just a few of the harrowing drowning rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Just a quick glance here should provide ample reason for taking a boating safety course.

Whether you’re an experienced sailor or a brand new boater, it pays to educate yourself. Young or old, it doesn’t matter. It is always a good time to learn the ropes, or re-learn the ropes for that matter. Proper training can help a boater to recognize dangerous situations and teach them how to act. Furthermore, it can help you to prevent danger in the first place. This is probably the best lesson of all!

Where to Take a Boating Safety Course

The next question is usually “Where do I find a proper boating safety course?” There are many places to check, but one popular organization is the BoatUS Foundation. For those interested, take a look at the official website. There should be boating safety courses available near your location.

Knowing the Basics

Besides what you’ll learn in your course, there are some standard boating safety basics that everyone should learn. At the very least, every single person on board should follow these essential guidelines:

• No running aboard the vessel.
• When the boat is moving, keep your hands and feet in the boat at all times.
• Only swim in areas that are explicitly designated for swimming.
• Don’t dive into the water. You never know how deep it may be.

Wear a Life Jacket

Aside from general guidelines, every single person on board a boat should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. The Coast Guard has rigorous testing standards for a proper floatation device. Make sure any life jacket you purchase is Coast Guard approved. To learn more about life jackets, visit the official U.S. Coast Guard website.