Critical Days of Summer week five: water related sports and recreation

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James Fountain
  • 17th Training Wing Safety Office
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As we arrive at the fifth week of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, the focus turns to water related sports and recreation.

So often many believe that operating a boat is easier than a car, however, recreational boaters don't have the benefit of daily boat operations experience. In fact, boaters only average 110 hours on the water a year. Look at how often people get hurt at work or in a car and these are activities they do daily.

Whether fishing, water skiing or paddling around, there should always be an experienced and sober driver. In Texas, the blood alcohol content limit while operating a watercraft is 0.08, the same as a motor vehicle, but using alcohol can be more dangerous to boaters because boat operators are often less experienced and less confident on the water than on the highway.

There's an assumption that every adult can swim, but not everyone is as experienced as the next person. If a group of people are going to the lake, river or ocean, a quick check to ensure that everyone is able to swim could save a friend's life. With children, don't use floatation devices as a substitution for supervision and don't think a child is drown-proof because he has had swimming lessons or is wearing a life jacket.

There are plenty of water related sports and high-risk activities that require military members to complete an Air Education and Training Command Form 410 with their supervisors prior to participating in them such as boating, surfing, rafting, wakeboarding, scuba diving, tubing, kayaking and jet skiing; the list goes on and on. Before heading out for that weekend or weekday getaway, review the high-risk activities folder at the Ground Safety Community of Practice website: https://www.my.af.mil/afknprod/community/views/home.aspx?Filter=OO-SE-AE-44 or use the website as a quick reminder to some forgotten mental checklist items regarding safety during that activity. The Recreation Camp at Lake Nasworthy also has information regarding many water related activities. Be sure to freshen up on CPR skills before heading out to enjoying water-side time, too.

Another water hazard in Texas is water moccasins. Water moccasins can be active during the day or night. On bright, sunny days they're usually found coiled or stretched out somewhere in the shade. In the morning and on cool days they can often be seen basking in the sunlight. At night, they're most active and are usually found swimming or crawling. Contrary to popular belief, they are capable of biting while underwater.

Fun fact: Although the Greeks didn't include swimming in the ancient Olympics, a freestyle competition was part of the first modern games held in 1896. Freestyle allows any stroke.