Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

There's no better way to beat the Arizona summer heat than spending time on or in the cool waters of Roosevelt Lake. Cruising on a pontoon or house boar, jet skiing, speed boating, kayaking, sailing, fishing, swimming – it's all great lake fun. What makes the fun even better? Knowing everyone is being safe while on the water.

Knowledge of boating safety is essential for any boat owner or water sports enthusiast. Luckily, the information isn't hard to find. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) offers boating safety education courses that include instruction "on the basic skills required to safely operate a boat or a PWC (personal watercraft), trailering your vessel, navigational rules, buoys, anchoring, legal requirements, boating emergencies, watersports and paddling."

On the AGFD's website (www.azgfd.com), there are several boat safety courses that can be taken online, in a classroom or even your home. You can also find a schedule for boating safety courses taught by members of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). And, be on the look out for weekends when the USCG will be at Roosevelt Lake Marina offering free boat safety inspections. Just alert our ShipStore that you're interested and we'll add your boat to our list!

Boat safety courses offer much more information, but the AGFD highlights three important points:

Life Jackets – With the exception of sailboards and certain racing shells or rowing skull, all vessels must have at least one wearable Type I, II, III or V life jacket that is (USCG) approved and of the proper size for each person on board. All children 12 years of age and younger must wear an approved Type I, II, III life jacket at all times while on the vessel. Also required to wear life jackets are people riding personal watercraft, such as jet skis, or who are being towed behind a vessel on water skis and wakeboards.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Produced when a carbon fuel, such as gasoline or diesel is burned, it is discharged as engine, generator, or appliance exhaust and may re-enter your boat through any opening. Download the brochure at http://www.azgfd.com for complete information, including how to recognize the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Cold Water Immersion – While it might be in the triple digits above the water, it is a different story in the water. The AGFD states that cold water immersion and hypothermia can occur in water "as cool as 70 degrees at any time of the year, even on a warm and sunny day." This can be life-threatening if someone falls or is thrown overboard. A life jacket keeps your head above water and your body on the surface.

And of course, as the saying goes, "Boat safe, Boat smart, Boat sober." If you're operating the boat, stay sober. Just like you don't drink and drive, you don't drink and boat.

Finally, for those who plan to swim in the lake, it's important to remember that it's not like taking a dip in a swimming pool. The American Red Cross offers potentially life-saving tips at http://www.redcross.org for swimming in lakes, rivers and streams.

Knowledge is power, so make sure you power up for summer of SAFE lake fun at Roosevelt Lake.

You may also search "Boating Safety" on http://www.westernoutdoortimes.com for a variety of boating safety articles.