June 15, 2008
Lucy Kuhns never goes out boating without her PFD.
Summer Boating Safety
A Message from YKHC's Injury Prevention Program
Summertime along the river involves a lot of boating and water activities. YKHC Injury Prevention would like to remind all people to wear PFDs and be responsible while on the river.
Q: Why is boating safety and prevention of drowning important?
- Drowning is one of the five leading causes of death in the YK Delta.
- The YK Delta drowning rate is five times higher than the rate in the Lower 48.
- People in the YK Delta depend on water as the main form of transportation from May through October.
- Drowning deaths are preventable if you take the proper steps.
Q: What could have been done to prevent these deaths?
- Over half of the drowning deaths in the Delta were alcohol related and the victims were not wearing a PFD.
- Have a properly fitting PFD for everybody on your boat. If the PFD is too small it will be uncomfortable, but if it is too big it may fall off.
- Alcohol and boating do not mix. Alcohol changes body stability, affects judgment, muscle coordination and balance, and increases the risk of hypothermia.
Q. Why should a person wear a PFD if they can swim?
- Being able to swim may help you for a while, but a PFD will keep you afloat in water for a much longer period of time.
- Suddenly entering cold water forces you to immediately gasp for air. This may cause you to inhale water, and makes breathing difficult.
- You may already be exhausted from hunting, fishing or gathering berries, so you have little energy left to keep your self afloat.
- Boaters are usually thrown overboard because they lost their footing or hit an object in the water. This puts them at a high risk for hitting their heads and not being able to stay afloat.
- It is Alaska's law for all children 13 years and under to be wearing PFDs when near or on the water.
Q: What should a person do if they're thrown overboard?
- Your chances of survival are increased if you or your children are wearing a PFD that fits properly.
- Stay near your boat unless it's sinking. Grab anything that floats.
- Get on top of your boat or any object that will keep you out of the water. Water robs you of your body heat 25 times faster than air of the same temperature.
Q: How can we be prepared while boating?
- Tell someone your plans of where you are going and when you plan on returning.
- Have high caloric food for emergency situations, like dried fish and meat.
- Pack shelter like tent, tarp or sleeping bag.
- Bring extra clothes in a waterproof bag.
- Take extra gas.
- Tie down loose or large loads in the boat to prevent dangerous shifting of weight.
- Be aware of unforeseen hazards, sandbars, drift logs, snags, sweepers.
Q: How can you help?
- You can help set an example by wearing a float coat or life jacket when you go boating, and encourage members of your community to wear them also.
- Do not mix alcohol and boating, and discourage friends and relatives from doing so.
- Help sponsor a Kids Don't Float program in your community by contacting YKHC's ICEMS at 1-800-478-6599 or 543-6420.
- Purchase float coats or life jackets at your closest subregional clinic, Bethel's ICEMS store, or other store, and have one available for everyone riding in your boat.
