Visiting the shore of an ocean, lake or river for a day, week or longer can allows you to enjoy the scenic and recreational pleasures that the water and water activities present.  Remember, when on the water “safety first” is the best policy.

If there are products or information about water safety or water activities that you don't find and would like to see here please let us know via email at suggestions@imoffwork.com.  And we always want to learn of any broken links you might encounter by email at support@imoffwork.com.  Also “Contact Us” is at the top and bottom of each page.

Safety First

Why is water safety the first item mentioned by most experts when talking about water recreation and water activities?  It really isn't a long, complicated answer:  Whenever the human body is in a foreign environment great danger is present.  Even though our bodies are largely made of water or liquids, as an environment water is as foreign and dangerous to us as outer space.  That is why I'm Off Work dot Com lists Safety first in the On the Water menu and provides suggestions and products to help make your visit to the water a fun and safe experience.

There are two points common to nearly all lists regarding boating and water safety:

• Do not mix alcohol and water activities – the water is dangerous enough without adding delayed reflexes and a slowed mind to the situation.  In addition, alcohol functions as a dehydrator, further stressing a body already active in the sun.  In most states there are similar laws regarding driving under the influence for boaters as there are for land vehicle drivers.

• Supervise children closely – even in situations where a lifeguard is present.  Basic water safety requires constant supervision over your small children.  In addition, as Child and Family Canada says, “Personal flotation devices (such as water wings, etc.) or life jackets should never be used as a substitute for supervision.”  It only takes a couple inches of water and seconds of time for a toddler to be in danger.

Other points strongly expressed on boating and water safety lists:

• Learn to swim
• Never swim alone
• Don't rely on flotation devices, such as rafts, you may loose them in the water
• If caught in a strong current, swim sideways to the current until free, not against its pull
• Swim parallel to shore if you swim long distances
• Wear your life jacket, don't just carry one onto the boat
• Be weather wise and pay attention to local weather conditions
• Check your boat, equipment and fuel supply

At http://uscgboating.org you can find a list of state boating laws, assembled by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, available for viewing and download (in pdf format).  This includes sections specifically for PWC's (personal water craft) and PFD's (personal flotation devices).