Over the years, we cruised our family boat along the lake without accident. But this time, the sickening thud was heard beneath our boat. It turned out that the outboard lower unit was snapped off by a submerged boulder, which hides deep enough below the surface to allow safe passage at normal water levels. However, in dry season when water levels dropped low, it quickly turned our normal navigation areas into danger.

Of course, water level change may be just one hazard you will encounter when boating on a lake or river. There are also other things that deserve your attention:

• Rough waters
• Blind spots in river bends
• Unmarked hazards

To get the most out of your boating experience, here are some tips for preventing and dealing with any emergencies that may arise.

Wear a life jacket

According to some regional laws, children under 13 may be required to wear a properly-fitting and authenticated life jacket when they are on board. But I suggest anyone on personal watercraft should wear a sized life jacket and children under 14 or have never completed a boating safety course should not operate a craft like Sea Doos, Jet Skis, or Waverunners alone.

Drink enough water

In some cases, dehydration often causes accidents or sickness on the lake. Thus, you should drink eight to ten eight-ounce glasses water every day and supply more during extreme heat or drought environment.

However, if you get dehydrated while boating, stop your activity immediately, get a rest in a cool zone, and take in 64 oz cool water in two to four hours. Also, seek medical treatment if needed.

Check weather conditions in advance

You should concern about weather forecasts ahead of time and avoid boating in extreme weather like potential storms, convective rain, high winds, blizzards, haze, cold wave, etc.

Prepare safety equipment on board

Essential safety equipment is also necessary to deal with any emergencies on board, including a first-aid kit, throwable flotation device, fire extinguisher, spare life buoy, distress signals, etc.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

It’s illegal and dangerous to boat if you have taken drugs or alcohol, which impact your coordination, judgment, and reaction speed and increase the risk of accidents.

Take care of your cellphone

Keeping your phone in your pocket while paddling runs the risk of slipping it into the lake or river, while putting it into a fixed and water-resistant box can avoid such accidents.

Biometric Privacy Safe is a water-resistant and safe box that provides safeguard for your cellphone, keys, wallets, metal accessories, power bank, earphones, cards, and other private items when boating on the lake. You can temporary store anything that is inconvenient to carry or hamper paddling into the safe box and set a biometric authentication fingerprint or passcode to get it locked from unauthorized access. And it also offers mechanical key’s way to unlock the safe. If you are worried about high waves tipping the safe into water, you can use the attached heavy-steel security cable to secure it to the mast of the boat or somewhere else on the boat. For more information, click here to contact our sales team.

Follow navigation rules

Please obey all local cruising rules and regulations when boating and maintain a safe speed especially in crowded waters. Watch out the wake zones, slow zones, and no-wake zones.

Stay vigilant and acute

You should also keep an eye on other swimmers, boats, navigational aids, and submerged objects and avoid shallow waters.

Enjoy your boating trip if you have everything ready and don’t forget to share your precious experience to other friends or family members.