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A recent tragic accident prompts this reminder about boating and alcohol. Two boaters, out for a day of fishing, were returning to the boat ramp to load up for the day. Less than one-half mile from the ramp they ran into a channel marker. Both men were thrown from the boat. One man survived, the other did not. Investigation of the accident turned up several beer cans in the boat. Although the final investigation has not been concluded, there is a great possibility that alcohol played a part in this accident.
Alcohol can decrease a person’s ability to handle a boat in many ways. As a depressant, alcohol goes straight to the nerves, blood stream, and the brain. As recreational boaters it is hard enough to remember all the rules, regulations, boat handling techniques, etc. while lucid. A few beers to quench the thirst in a rapidly dehydrating body and the following happens: Eroding sense of balance - Most boating deaths result from falling out of a small open boat, without a PFD, whether it capsizes or not. Vision fades - Because of the sun and reflection of light, objects on the water can be hazy and difficult to see. Color perception and peripheral vision deteriorate and at night depth perception decreases. You can imagine what happens if you can’t distinguish between the red and green markers (or worse, don't see the markers at all) or red and green lights of an oncoming vessel at night. Coordination suffers - Should a person fall into the water they may have trouble just floating, let alone grasping onto a life ring or throwable device. Add the shock of the cold water and the risk of cramping and drowning is increased significantly. Surface blood vessels dilate - Blood vessels on the surface of the skin dilate to increase the rate of body heat loss while in the sun. If, while these vessels are dilated, you fall overboard into cold water hypothermia sets in quickly and this further reduces your decision-making abilities. Go To Page: 1 2 |
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