Just because summer is behind us doesn’t mean that you and your family and friends can’t enjoy a great day out on the water. However, no matter what the season, it is important that you all do it safely. It doesn’t matter if your boat fits a large group of people with even some space to sleep. It doesn’t matter if your boat only holds you and a friend with some fishing gear. Every boat owner and driver needs to take steps to ensure themselves and their passengers remain safe while on the water.

Tips to Help You Stay Safe on the Water

Below is an article from USA Synthetics with some easy to adopt tips which can help you and your passengers to stay safe while you are all enjoying a day out on the water.

Let the Weather Guide Your Plans

It doesn’t matter if it’s somebody’s birthday, an anniversary, or you just really want to get out on the water and do some fishing - if the weather is going to turn bad during the day, then you aren’t going to be getting your boat out on the water. As soon as you know that you want to spend a day on the water, be sure to check the weather predictions, in particular, the swells and water conditions, and then start inviting people. Why? Because simply put, if the weather doesn't allow it then it isn’t safe to go out.

Who Is in Charge?

Unless there was an unaired episode where the whole family took a trip on a boat, we aren't talking about the hit TV show from the 80’s. Instead, this tip comes in the form of designating somebody who everybody listens to in the event of an emergency. It’s important to note that this person doesn’t have to be the one driving the boat, it can be anybody you choose. However, whoever it is, be sure that each and every passenger knows that, in the event of an emergency or even a small incident, this is the person who everybody should pay attention to.

What to Do in an Emergency

Once everybody knows who to listen to, it’s a good idea that everybody has been briefed on how to act during common emergencies. For example, if somebody falls overboard, you don’t want everybody jumping overboard to save them as this can cause even more problems. Instead, teach everybody the basic guide such as, locating the floatation device, how to throw it out to somebody, and even how to tread water effectively if they are the one in the water. If your boat’s engine isn’t in good shape then your boat is needlessly unsafe. Check out the online store for a range of products suitable to your boat or click here to buy AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Marine Engine Oil. If you aren’t 100% this is the right product for your boat’s engine, don’t hesitate to speak with a friendly professional at USA Synthetics by calling (405) 388-6170.

Life Jackets

Speaking of people going overboard, do you have enough life jackets for all of your passengers? If you don’t, then simply put, you don’t have enough space for all of your passengers. This includes having the correct size for adults and children alike, remembering that these are not interchangeable. The reason why this tip is so strict is simply that life jackets are the single most important and helpful safety item which you can have on board your boat. They are often the difference between somebody being stuck in the water for a short period of time and a serious emergency.

Watch Your Drinking

It’s important to drink enough water while you’re out enjoying the sun, and it’s important that you also monitor how much alcohol you drink. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a beer or two, it means making sure that you are in a position where you can drive the boat safely and also help others should they need it. A good way to gauge how much you can drink is to use the same method you use to discern whether or not you are safe to drive your car. This could mean limiting the amount of alcohol you drink for the whole day or simply ensuring that you balance drinking and water throughout the course of the day.

Your Boat Needs a Synthetic Oil Change Too

Just as you keep your car’s engine in good shape with a synthetic oil change in Oklahoma City, OK, so too does your boat need the same level of attention. However, the products you put in your car aren’t compatible with your boat’s engine. To find out which products are best suited to your boat, speak with an expert at USA Synthetics by calling (405) 388-6170.