I’ve been a boater for a long time, and there is nothing like getting out on the water. When I was a teenager, I picked up canoeing and kayaking as hobbies that grew into a summer job for years. Later on, I earned my powerboat license and spent a lot of time on the Connecticut shore on my family’s boat, fishing and exploring different parts of the coastline. Even on vacation, I always found myself on ferries, rafts, and boat trips since they allowed me to see a new area from a different perspective.
While there is a joke that “boat” ownership actually means “bring out another thousand,” boating experiences are worth far more than the occasional annoyance of storage, repair, and upgrades. It’s easy to get excited about boat trips but don’t let that excitement keep you from exercising good safety measures. In 2021, there were 658 boating fatalities and more injuries sustained from accidents that most would agree are preventable. Here are some common safety measures to consider before you head out on the water.
GOOD GEAR – Live Your Life Unrestricted With the BRCC Arrowhead Ranger Panties
PFDs
Personal floatation devices have come a long way since the “Mae West” life jackets of yesteryear. If you don’t know the etymology of “Mae West,” you should look it up as the history of the term goes way back to the mid-20th century.
PFDs save lives, but they have to be worn and they have to fit correctly. In general, a PFD should be snug so as to not lift over the face when pulled at the shoulder straps. This will simulate being in the water unconscious when the floatation needs to hold your body up while keeping your face out of the water.

PFDs have evolved to include pockets, and some are designed to be inflatable, which saves space in your limited boat storage. Make sure whatever you use, you know how to operate it and make sure it is operable. Adding additional gear to your PFD can hamper it from working as intended.
There may be a law that allows you to keep a PFD in close proximity rather than on your person, but if the water you are on is risky (rapids, additional boaters, cold water), don’t assume you’ll have time to put on your vest in an emergency.

Just like a seatbelt, wear it before you need it. If you are on a larger vessel like a ferry, it doesn’t make sense to put one on unless there is an emergency. Just have the awareness of where to grab one in an emergency.
RELATED – ATV Accident: How Rescuers Saved a Hunter Who Drove Off a Cliff
Cold-Water Immersion

Until the water freezes over, you have a boating season. When I lived back east, we paddled our canoes in the Adirondacks until the late fall. We’d paddle in for the weekend on the water and break through the ice on the way out. We knew the risks of capsizing and prepared for it with a good immersion kit.
A Fieldcraft Survival instructor had an issue on one fateful trip when he had to fall back on his training to help a friend’s kid who ended up in the drink. When you boat in cold water, prepare for going in the water and hope you don’t. Whether you are canoeing, sailing, or powerboating, follow these steps. Get out of the water, remove wet clothing, put on dry clothing or wrap in blankets, introduce warm liquids, and monitor closely. If you wait until an emergency to experience cold water, you won’t know how you’ll react to it.
While not as fast-moving as immersion, getting wet and experiencing the wind will cool you off slowly and catch you off-guard. Keep in mind that sometimes cold water immersion doesn’t involve the total body. Simply immersing your hands in cold water can limit their dexterity and capability. That can serve as a multiplier effect and compound the situation you’re in.
GOOD GEAR – Raise a Mug of BRCC Hell’s Bells Coffee Roast to Our Devil Dogs — Semper Fi
Night Travel

You may plan on boating only during the day but unforeseen circumstances may lead you to drive back to your dock or the boat ramp after hours in the dark. Boating in the dark isn’t difficult but it is different from daytime boating. You can’t travel as quickly or boldly once visibility is reduced.
Most boats aren’t equipped with strong headlights and they don’t even exist for paddle-powered canoes and kayaks. When it comes to night travel, it is best to use moonlight and let your eyes adjust to the dark. White light use on the boat can bleach your vision; it’s better to use color filters or dash lights to help you see your instruments if you’re on a more substantial vessel. Remember, only travel as fast as you can see in the distance. If the water is dark, move slowly and cautiously.
Too many accidents happen when there isn’t enough time to avoid rocks, sand bars, and other boats. Even if you are in a canoe or kayak, always carry a white light to let others know where you are so they can see you. If you are in a watercraft with passengers, delegate the light duty to a copilot and have them illuminate your path and help spot objects.
RELATED – The 6 Deadliest Alaska Plane Crashes of All Time
Collisions

Right around the corner from Fieldcraft HQ is Deer Creek Reservoir. In the summertime, the waters are packed with boaters looking to fish, “putt-putt,” paddle around, water-ski, and have a good time. It doesn’t take a lot of boats to make a body of water crowded.
Each year, collisions between watercraft happen. Motorboat to motorboat happens when the fish on the line draws more attention than awareness of surroundings. Motorboat on paddle-powered boat collisions happens when canoes and kayaks aren’t easily seen. Collisions can be deadly and there isn’t a good way to deal with them except to try to avoid them. You have to be extremely vigilant and do the awareness work for the other guy. One way to avoid collisions is to have a sound signal like a whistle or horn. Paddlers can put reflective tape on the back of their paddle blades. Being ready to move off the X is another good idea.
Should you get into a collision, quickly assess your situation and look for injuries and damage. Take stock of all your supplies and the status of your boat. Treat what needs to be treated and get back to shore as quickly as you can safely.
GOOD GEAR – If Athleisure Is Your Way of Life, Sport the BRCC Arrowhead Jogger Sweat Shorts
Bail-Out Kit

We all know what a bug-out bag is, but do we all know what a bail-out bag is? The idea of abandoning the ship is probably remote, but there is always the possibility of ditching your boat for safety. Powerboats have fires, sailboats can capsize, and canoes and kayaks can swamp.
Normally, staying with your craft is the best bet, but there are times when currents, tides, and conditions may make your boat more of a liability than an asset. Where you are will determine what makes sense to put in your bail-out kit. Generally, this kit is contained in a water-resistant container that can be used as a float. It should have enough buoyancy to keep the bag or box above water with the contents inside.
A bail-out bag will have signaling equipment, life-support equipment to keep your body temperature stable, and med gear to address any medical needs. If you are rolling in dough, you probably have a bail-out kit in a rubber raft attached to your luxury liner. For the average Joe, a basic bail-out kit can be a simple dry bag clipped to an area where you can access it before you abandon ship.
Boating safety concepts are universal even if the boat you are in varies from one situation to another. Regardless of being in a solo paddle-powered boat or a multi-passenger vessel, some safety considerations never change. Chances are, you will never encounter a boating accident and your day will more likely be ruined by something insignificant than national report worthy. Still, you never want to go out on the water without a good plan for the worst. Chances are, if you get out on the water, you’ll have a better day than those stuck on land.
This content was originally posted by Fieldcraft Survival in June 2022.
READ NEXT – How To Survive an Earthquake: Inside or Outside Every Second Counts
Comments