Organizations provide safety training
Water safety
The American Red Cross of Lee County announce the release of a newly revised and improved Swimming and Water Safety program that provides an increased emphasis in the areas of drowning prevention and water safety. From Learn to Swim to Lifeguard Training, the Red Cross offers a variety of water safety training courses.
The American Red Cross is the leader in water safety with over 90 years of instruction and training. Our water safety experts are the leaders in their field and available to assist you with content and technical support for any articles on these topics. In addition, we have a variety of Red Cross instructors and volunteers who can give very personable stories of how swim lessons and water safety has a made a difference in a family’s life.
For additional information about the Red Cross and the assistance it provides, making donations, registering for a class or volunteering, call 278-3401, or log onto: arclcc.org.
Boating
According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of people who die in recreational boating accidents each year is about the same as those who perish in general aviation accidents.
Most boating accidents are preventable. It starts by everyone on a boat wearing a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Wearing a life jacket will keep you afloat and help delay the effects of hypothermia. Life jackets save lives.
Education, planning and preparation are also vital to a successful boating outing.
File a float plan (www.floatplancentral.org) with a friend or other relative.
Have effective communications for the boating outing. A marine band VHF-FM radio can be valuable, but has limited range and cell phones become less effective the farther you are from shore.
Wear your life jacket. Personal Position Indicating Radio Beacon’s (PPIRB’s) are attached to the life jacket. It sends a signal to the Coast Guard when in distress and provides exact location.
For more information contact Harvey Wolfson at 283-2572.