Page 8
Sample book
At rivers, lakes and at sea
Suggested safety practices are listed below.
• If you are boating, canoeing or water skiing, use the correct
Life jacket and wear it all the time. Figure 8.1 shows three
types of life jacket listed below:
• 1 has a neck support to keep your head out of the water if
you are exhausted;
• 2 is often used by people who do water sports where they
only need to float for a short time;
• is often used by water skiers who need a large range arm
movement and only need to stay afloat long enough for
help to arrive quickly.
• Keep an eye on the weather. Check radio forecasts before
setting out. If you are canoeing or sailing in a large lake and
the weather looks like changing pack up and go home.
• Never get too close to overhanging cliffs or large breaking
waves on a rocky platform and never swim alone.
• Watch out for slippery rocks when walking on a rocky shore.
• In flood situations:
- avoid crossing flooded creek crossings by yourself and seek
local advice; and
- avoid playing on body boards in flooded parks as you may
end up going down a stormwater drain and drown.
General water skills
Learning to float
The shock of falling into water fully clothed can make you
panic. Floating can also be a problem if you are being washed
downstream. Figure 8.2 shows how to take off your clothes
while in the water and use them as a flotation device. Buckets,
esky lids, plastic drink bottles or pieces of foam can also be
used as flotation devices, as shown in Figure 8.3.
Watch out for slippery surfaces
Water creates a slippery surface on boat ramps, rocks, decks,
handrails, stairs or anything that is flat and hard. The right
footware will reduce the chance of slipping.
Know the level of your abilities
Overconfidence and showing off can be deadly at waterfalls,
underwater hockey, big surf or snorkelling in caves. Never be
afraid to chicken out as it may prevent serious injury or save
your life one day (Figure 8.4).
Learn first aid
Training in first aid is essential if you use the sea (Chapter 2).
Figure 8.3 You can use everyday
objects as floats.
Wet Paper
1
3
2
Figure 8.1 Three types of Life jacket
Figure 8.2 How to remove clothing that
can be used as a flotation device.
After The Australian Royal Life-saving Manual
A
B
Wet Paper
Figure 8.4 Don't exceed the level of your
confidence or skill.
Bob Moffatt
