Some safety tips & cautionary words for your summer fun in the water

Swimming and boating injury lawyers understand that boating or swimming in the water during the hot summer months can be relaxing and fun, but it can also be dangerous. Authorities advise that many people overestimate their swimming abilities and strength, and then get into trouble when they reach deep water or a strong current or swim for too far or too long a period of time. Life vests are essential equipment anytime you’re swimming or boating out on open water. The vests could save the lives of weak swimmers and non-swimmers even in residential swimming pools.

Water rescue teams generally arrive after the fact of a drowning or boating accident. On open waters, there’s generally no “life guard” present to help prevent your accident if you overextend yourself in or on the water. Our swimming and boating injury lawyers caution that your summer fun on the water can quickly turn tragic if essential safety precautions aren’t taken.

Some of the dangers you might encounter on or in the water include:

• Hidden drop-offs in rivers, lakes, or streams that can swallow up the unwary swimmer or wader.
• Black water with no or limited visibility that hides hidden dangers and obstacles and impedes rescue efforts.
• Strong currents that can sweep boaters, swimmers, or fishermen into harm’s way.
• Lakes fed by rivers that have conditions that change with that river, such as fluctuating depth or composition.
• Cold water temperatures that could cause dangerous hypothermia or cold water shock.
• Hidden obstacles in the water like trees, boulders, concrete, or metal that can take a boater or swimmer unawares and cause fatal injury.
• Speeding or recklessly driven boats or jet skis that could cause a collision, run over a swimmer, or eject the vehicle’s occupant into the water in an accident.
• Water vehicles operating in too close proximity to each other or to bridges, piers, and other structures. A sudden collision could eject the occupants into the concrete or steel structures to suffer fatal injuries.
• Swimming or boating while intoxicated (BWI). BWI is not only illegal, but along with swimming while intoxicated, leads to an estimated 50% – 60% of adult drowning deaths. Alcohol impairs reflexes, your judgment, alertness, and swimming and boating abilities. Authorities could put a stop to your summer with an arrest for BUI or public intoxication. But taking you away from the water while you’re impaired could save your life and the lives of others.

Failing to follow basic safety rules in or on the water can lead to tragic accidents and injuries that could claim the life of yourself, your friends, or your family members. Our swimming and boating injury lawyers understand that you just want to have fun in the water this summer. And we don’t want to spoil your fun. We enjoy summer water outings too. The swimming and boating injury lawyers at Denena & Points just want you to stay safe. Take the necessary safety precautions to prevent water accidents, injuries, or fatalities, and enjoy many more summers to come.