With Summertime approaching, an experienced sailor and captain offers tips for those planning to go boating as the weather clears and warms up.
Mike Pickett, the Area Manager and Club Captain for Freedom Boat Club Lake Hartwell, says both paying attention and being prepared to two key aspects of staying safe while boating.
In preparations, he explains that things like life jackets, throw rings, and fire extinguishers are essential for passing safety inspections.
“I always recommend to have your own little boat bag to have some extra waters, some sunscreen, chap stick, Tylenol -- even a first aid kit is definitely not a bad idea,” Pickett said. “Just make sure those life jackets are still functioning. Make sure there’s no holes or rips in the life jackets.”
He explained using navigation apps, such as Navionics, can help boaters navigate local rivers and lakes similar to driving apps.
Pickett also warned boaters to pay attention to weather forecasts and patterns, as stormy weather can be very dangerous to go boating in.
You can listen to the full interview with Mike Pickett below:
Next week, we’ll also be going deeper into a series of stories with more summer health and safety tips from various Prisma health physicians.
