KENNEWICK, Wash. – Summer is right around the corner, and with that comes hotter temperatures, which means more boats will be out on the water. While out on a boat, It’s vital that everyone wears a life jacket, has a boating plan, and knows the weather before they go.
According to Washington State Parks, you must have horns or whistle flares and, of course, life jackets. Lorren Johnson, the water operations director of the Tri-City Water Follies, said that while it might not look cool to wear one, it will save your life, plus it’s also the law.
Before you get out on the boat, the most important things to grab are a safety whistle and a life jacket.Washington state law requires everyone in all boats, including canoes and kayaks, to wear one Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Johnson said kids under 12 should always have a life jacket on.
“You can’t have one that’s too small and you can’t have one that’s too big,” Johnson said. “Children especially. Those need to fit properly. If they don’t, they can slip right out.”
Johnson said many child life jackets have a strap that goes underneath them, between the legs, so they don’t slip out.
He says you shouldn’t take the river for granted. With the river system here, the further down you go, the stronger the current gets. According to Johnson, the Columbia River only changes five to six degrees year-round.
Boating can be a lot of fun, but with fun comes safety and responsibility. Johnson said having a boater license is necessary.
“A certification that you’ve gone through the class,” he said. “That you know all the requirements and all the things you need on your boat to keep everybody on the boat safe. That is super important to go through. You go through it once in your life, and you never lose.”
Johnson said there are so many different aspects of being on the water to be safe, including the equipment on the boat, what to look for, and how to stay hydrated. He says another thing is to look for their speech to make sure they’re not overheating.
According to Johns Hopkins University, some signs to look for are:
HeadacheDizzinessDisorientation, agitation, or confusionSluggishness or fatigueSeizureHot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweatyA high body temperatureLoss of consciousnessRapid heartbeatHallucinations
Johnson said he makes sure his crew stays hydrated and drinks plenty of water. Even if they are drinking a sports drink, he makes sure they follow it with two bottles of water.
