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Boating: How to Boat: Safety

Staying Afloat
It is common belief that someone dressed in heavy clothing or waders will sink immediately if they fall overboard. This is not true. Air trapped in clothing provides considerable flotation, and bending the knees will trap air in waders, providing additional flotation. To stay afloat follow these rules:

* Remain calm, do not thrash about or try to remove clothing or footwear. This leads to exhaustion and increases the loss of air that keeps you afloat.
* Keep your PFD on.
* Keep your knees bent.
* Float on your back and paddle slowly to safety.



 
More in this section...
  Basic Boating Safety Course
  Boater's Checklist
  Boating Education Courses
  Cold Water Survival
  Float Plan
  Fueling Precautions
  Getting Help on the Water
  How Not To Get Seasick
  Operator's Responsibilities
  Overloading