Phone: 2622522552
LOCAL 2150
Memorial Weekend Safety Message
Updated On: May 25, 2017
Attention Members a reminder from your IBEW Local 2150 Safety Committee.
Small Efforts Make Big Difference in Recreational Boating Safety each year, about 74 million Americans engage in recreational boating, according to government research. Most boating experiences are positive – the stuff memories are made of. But the most joyful times quickly can turn deadly if boaters are not vigilant about safety – at all times.
One of three things usually happens when a good day on the water turns tragic, according to the U.S. Coast Guard:
A passenger falls overboard
A boat capsizes
A boat collides with another boat or object
In 2014, the Coast Guard counted 4,064 boating incidents that involved 610 deaths, 2,678 injuries and about $39 million of damage to property. Compared to 2013, the Coast Guard found:
The number of incidents increased 0.05%
The number of deaths increased 8.9%
The number of injuries increased 2.2%
Perils of Falling in Frigid Water
Hypothermia can set in if a person is exposed to water less than 70 degrees for too long. The body cools 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air, according to the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association.
In June 2015, a Utah doctor, his two daughters and one of their friends died in the frigid waters of Bear Lake, about 120 miles north of Salt Lake City, after their boat capsized. Lance Capener reportedly swam to shore with his wife, Kathryn, only to perish when he went back for the girls.
Two other teenage girls survived by massaging cramps out of each other's arms and legs and praying while waiting for help to arrive. All were wearing life jackets, but their body temperatures plummeted in the 53-degree water and 70-mph winds.
Just Wear It
Life jackets are the lifeblood of safe boating.
The U.S. Coast Guard reports 78% of boating deaths in 2014 were due to drowning, and 84% of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.
The good news is, comfortable – and stylish – Coast Guard-approved life jackets are widely available. The Wear It campaign promotes boating safety by encouraging boaters to wear life jackets all the time. The campaign kicks off with National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27, 2016.
Before setting sail, review a pre-departure checklist to ensure you have everything you need in your boat, including a tool box and first-aid kit. Once on the water, use common sense. In a split second, a situation can arise or the weather can turn.
If you notice storm clouds, a sudden temperature drop or wind speed increasing, the best advice is to play it safe. Get off the water.
Get Educated, Reduce Risks
The National Safe Boating Council promotes safer recreational boating through education, outreach and training.
In 2014, Coast Guard data indicates 77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had no boating safety instruction. By comparison, 12% of deaths occurred where the operator had received a nationally approved boating safety education certificate.
To further reduce risk, the Coast Guard offers these tips:
Don't drink: Alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination
Take a safety course: 7 out of 10 boating incidents are caused by operator error
Get a free vessel safety check; contact a local volunteer here
Know about carbon monoxide; this odorless, colorless poisonous gas is emitted by all combustion engines and onboard motor generators
The extra effort that goes into taking these kinds of precautions will help create fun-filled adventures for you and your family on the water.
Water Sports Safety Tips
Skiing, tubing and wake-boarding are popular water sports, but they also can be dangerous. The U.S. Coast Guard reports water skiing ranked fifth in recreational boating accident types in 2014. Eight people were killed and 305 were injured in 292 separate accidents.
Nationwide Children's Hospital says wakeboarders are more likely to have a traumatic brain injury than water skiers. The hospital offers this safety checklist for safe water skiing and wakeboarding:
Learn how to get up out of the water and how to safely use the tow rope
Always have a spotter in the boat, and go over basic hand signals
Be sure the boat operator is licensed and experienced with the boat and the body of water
Only water ski and wakeboard during daylight
Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket
Coast Guard data shows 34 people were killed and 592 injured using personal watercraft in 2014, ranking second behind motorboat injuries and deaths (1,672). Canoe and kayak incidents were listed fourth, at 256.
HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE HOLIDAY WEEKEND!
ENJOY SUMMER!!

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Contact Info
IBEW Local 2150
N56W13777 Silver Spring Dr.
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
  2622522552

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