Small Boats and Water Activities

Many hunters and anglers do not think of themselves as boaters, but use small semi-v hull vessels, flatbottom jon boats or canoes to pursue their sports. These boats tend to be unstable and easily capsized. Capsizings, sinkings, and falls overboard from small boats account for 70% of boating fatalities and these facts mean you must have a greater awareness of the boat’s limitations and the skill and knowledge to overcome them.

Standing in a small boat raises the center of gravity, often to the point of capsizing. Standing for any reason or even changing position in a small boat can be dangerous, as is sitting on the gunwales or seat backs or on a pedestal seat while underway. A wave or sudden turn may cause a fall overboard or capsizing because of the raised center of gravity.


Staying Afloat

It is common belief that someone dressed in heavy clothing or waders will sink immediately if they fall overboard. This is not true. Air trapped in clothing provides considerable flotation, and bending the knees will trap air in waders, providing additional flotation. To stay afloat, remain calm, do not thrash about or try to remove clothing or footwear. This leads to exhaustion and increases the loss of air that keeps you afloat. Keep your knees bent, float on your back and paddle slowly to safety.


Cold Water Survival

Sudden immersion in cold water can induce rapid, uncontrolled breathing, cardiac arrest, and other life threatening situations which can result in drowning. Wearing a PFD will help reduce this condition. If you must enter the water, button up your clothing, wear a PFD, cover your head if possible and enter the water slowly.

Hypothermia is the loss of body heat and immersion in water speeds the loss of heat. If your boat capsizes it will likely float on or just below the surface. Outboard powered vessels built after 1978 are designed to support you even if full of water or capsized. To reduce the effects of hypothermia get in or on the boat. Try to get as much of your body out of the water as possible. If you can't get in the boat a PFD will enable you to keep your head out of the water. This is very important because about 50% of body heat loss is from the head.

It may be possible to revive a drowning victim who has been under water for considerable time and shows no signs of life. Numerous documented cases exist where victims have been resuscitated with no apparent harmful effects after long immersions. Start CPR immediately and get the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible.

Be Safe on the Water

Know the navigation rules, observe the courtesies of safe boating and

KNOW... your   Boat the   Equipment on the boat the   Safety devices and wear PFDs about   Alcohol and other distress stressors about   First aid and emergency procedures the   Environment, area and weather .....BEFORE YOU GO!