Safe Boating Week (May 19-25) is an ideal time to focus awareness on the need to understand boating safety. It is a week set aside to refresh boater knowledge of proper equipment, care, and maintenance.
I would like to suggest that you make it a family affair, from the smallest sailor right on up to the captain - who could be Dad, Mom, Grandma or Grandpa, or perhaps an Aunt or Uncle.
Safe Boating Week is an ideal time to bring all the family seafarers together to acquaint them with the use of a boats safety equipment.
Get all the life jackets out and check them for wear or damage, having each family member examine the one they may be wearing. If life jackets are free of wear and able to be used, try them on and re-adjust the fit properly. Be aware youngsters grow each year and adult dimensions also change.
If a life jacket needs to be replaced, have the family member who will wear it pick out his or her own, especially the kids. It may cost a couple dollars more for a bright colored Mermaid or Spiderman design, but kids will be more likely to wear them. While making their choice, they can learn how to put the PFD on properly, buckle it up, and adjust the straps. The fact that they picked out their own will give them a sense of pride they will share with others as they proudly wear them on the boat.
(Note - Most states require that all children up to a specified age wear a PFD at all times while aboard any boat. Check the age requirement for the area you intend to boat.)
Don't stop at lifejackets. Youngsters should learn how to read the gauge on a fire extinguisher. If you have an out-dated extinguisher, or one that needs service, do a demonstration for the kids letting the older ones participate. This will prove very educational while leaving a lasting impression.
While checking and replenishing your first-aid kit, let the youngsters pick out the disinfectant spray, making certain it is one that won't sting. Children will also enjoy selecting a special package of cartoon character Band-Aids. Carefully explain the use of everything in the kit and, of special importance, where it is stored. Kids may even come up with a suggestion for a good place, easy for them to reach.
Older sailors should know how to use all pyrotechnics, but be sure to impress the younger children with how dangerous they can be. A demonstration with expired flares should include how to light them and why they must be held over the side and away from the boat. All the children should be acquainted with the fact that aerial type flares are the same as a handgun.
Harnesses are rarely seen on powerboats, yet families that sail know how helpful they can be to keep their kids, and even pets, aboard. If you have a young child on the boat and have to leave them unattended, even for a moment, a pre-measured harness with a pre-determined fastening point could keep them safe while you perform needed maneuvers.
Be sure to explain all the electronics to your crew, given five minutes with them, they may be better at operating them than you. Demonstrate how to place a Mayday call on the VHF radio, carefully explaining the seriousness of not "playing" with the radio. Outline for them, and have available by the radio, what situations are an emergency and exactly how to call for help.
After completing all your safety equipment checks with the entire family involved, you will not only know your equipment is in tip-top shape but that your family stands ready to assist as a well educated team if needed.
It is also an excellent idea to take every family member old enough to run the boat through an exercise on how to operate it safely. Teach them to run the blower before starting the engine, and how to operate the lights and what the proper horn signals are (most kids love sounding an air horn). Handling lines and proper knots may also be taught to those able to help with the important task of getting to and away from the dock. A full awareness on the part of your crew about how to run the boat could be a great advantage should the captain become disabled.
A family that boats together can have great experiences. Why not also make it a learning experience to ensure everyone has memories that last a lifetime.
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