Boating Safety

Flatwater Safety
    Always Wear a Coast Guard Approved Personal Floatation Device
    Over 75% of boating deaths involve people who had PFDs aboard, but were not wearing them

    Never Boat Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
    Over 50% of boating deaths involve alcohol Boating While Intoxicated laws are in effect in North Carolina

    Learn and Follow Navigation Rules of the Road
    Maintain control of your boat at all times Maintain safe boating speed

    Get Instruction/Practice
    Canoeists/Kayakers should get proper instruction from an ACA or BCU certified instructor and practice your rescues and strokes often with your companions Motorized boat operators should take an Coast Guard approved safety class Sailors should take an approved class from a certified instructor to learn effective boat control and safety techniques

    Dress for Immersion
    A strong swimmer only has a 50% chance of making a 50 yard swim (1 lap in a pool) in 50 degree water. From December to April, most lakes in the Piedmont have water temperatures at or below 50 degrees.

    Boat with a Buddy
    Never boat or swim alone



Whitewater Safety