What the Oxford English Dictionary Doesn’t Tell You About Watersports

Watersports have a certain gravitas and attraction that renders them appealing. But make no mistake, water sports are dangerous. And so anybody thinking about taking up watersports need to get prepared first. Here’s what the Oxford English Dictionary doesn’t tell you about watersports and what you need to do in advance.

The Importance Of Swimming

If you’re into watersports, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up in the water at some point. As a result, you’ll need to learn how to swim. Most of the time, you’ll be doing sports on a river or a lake. And so it will be feasible to swim ashore if you get into trouble. Getting out of the water as quickly as you can is essential. If you don’t start moving and get out quickly, you body can go into shock because of the cold. Often the worry isn’t sinking. It’s becoming too cold to think properly and breathe regularly. So it’s important to be able to get ashore as fast as possible.

Learning to swim is also good for children and adults alike because it helps them relax more around water. Being able to swim means that you don’t have to fear falling in the water as much, making the experience more enjoyable.

The Rules Of The Water

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There are rules of the water, just as there are rules of the road. And that means that people who use the sea or rivers have a duty of responsibility and care to others. Just like on the road, it’s possible to be sued and sue others for negligence that results in damage to property. And so everybody on the water should have a relationship with a boat accident lawyer. Always make sure you keep a large distance between yourself and other vessels. And pay particular attention to bigger ships with larger turning circles.

You Have To Wear Your Life Jacket

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You might think that you’re an excellent swimmer. But in the event of an emergency, that might not count for much. You might be injured in the water and unable to swim. You might be unconscious, and need a life jacket to stop your head from going under the waves. Or you might be too far from land to swim the distance and must wait in the water. Life jackets are designed to keep you above the surface until help arrives. And they come equipped with lights and whistles that alert any passers-by to your predicament.

You Should Wear Sunscreen

Watersports are by their very nature outdoor, summer activities. As a result, you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun. If you want to protect yourself and have an enjoyable experience, it’s essential you slap on the sunscreen. Also, make sure you keep yourself cool by wearing a hat. And protect your eyes with sunglasses.

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You Should Tell People Where You Are Going

It’s all too easy to get into trouble on the water. And so it’s important to let other people know where you’re going before you set off. If you go missing, you’ll be easier to find if people know where to look for you. Tell friends or family how long you expect to be so that they can raise the alarm if you don’t return on time.

You Shouldn’t Go Swimming Or Diving Alone

Having time to yourself is great, but not when you’re swimming or diving in open water. Swimming and diving are dangerous activities. And it’s all too easy to run into trouble while you’re alone. If you’re with another person, it’s much easier to rescue a situation and stay safe. If one person gets into trouble, the other can call for help.

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You Should Carry Extra Supplies And Equipment

When you are boating, you’re usually on your own. That means that you need to be able to rely on yourself to meet all your human needs. The problem is that, on the water, things can sometimes go wrong, either with your boat or navigation, or both. And that can land some people in a lot of trouble. Make sure you have a couple of independent systems to contact rescuers on shore. And also ensure that you take extra supplies of food and water, just in case you get lost.

You’ll also want to make sure that you have things like a satellite phone, extra jackets, towels and tools. If the worst comes to the worst, you might need to fix your boat on the fly. Just make sure that you stow all tools safely.

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