Safety Tips for Having Fun on Lake Nacimiento!

It’s hard to believe that August is upon us and summer on Lake Nacimiento is winding down.  It’s been a greatsummer filled with endless activities and time out on our beautiful lake.  Lake Nacimiento’s season of water skiing, boating and jet skiing however are far from over!  With ideal temperatures, residents of Oak Shores and Heritage Ranch along with visitors to Lake Nacimiento can enjoy being out on the water for the next few months.

As a Lake Nacimiento Real Estate agent, I enjoy seeing people get the most out of living on Lake Nacimiento and want to provide great information that will give a well rounded approach to the active lifestyle that is available.  One way of doing this is through bringing an awareness to safety on Lake Nacimiento.

While it’s important to have fun on days spent out on the lake, it’s also imperative to use safety precautions. Please take a minute to look at this helpful checklist to ensure you have a fun and safe time out on Lake Nacimiento.

Basic Safety

• Always wear sunscreen!
• Make sure everyone in your boat can swim, and if not, that floating devices are used and there is someone watching that person at all times.
• Never swim alone! Even the most experienced swimmers can experience fatigue, or an injury that will make it hard to swim
• Always watch children who are anywhere near water! The most accidents happen when children are wading in shallow water, so always make sure they’re supervised!
• Be sure to swim only in designated swimming areas.
• Look before you leap! Never dive into water unless you know that it’s deep enough to do so. Always keep your hands above your head when diving to ensure safety.
• Never mix swimming or boating with alcohol.

Water Skiing
To make your water skiing fun, safe, sensible and successful, practice these safe driving tips:

• Check steering and throttle controls for proper operation before towing skier.
• On take-offs, never accelerate until a definite signal is given by skier.
• When under way, keep attention ahead. The observer is to watch the skier.
• Never follow other boats. Always look before turning. Avoid shallow water.
• Promote safety by staying away from other boats, swimmers, fishermen and solid objects.
• Return to fallen skier immediately. Slow to idle as you approach skier, moving in on the driver’s side.
• Shut off engine while skier climbs into or out of boat. Discourage skiers from boarding over transom.
• High speed landings cause injuries. When skiing into shore, reduce speed and parallel the landing area at a safe distance.
• Do not tow non-swimmers or weak swimmers unless they wear an approved and appropriate flotation device.

Person Overboard
If someone falls overboard, follow these procedures:

• Toss a life-saving device even if the person can swim. A life ring is the preferred device. It can be thrown farther and is easier to hang on to. However, use whatever device is nearest. Time is essential.
• Slow the boat, keeping the person in view. Other persons onboard should act as look outs. At night, direct the best possible lights on the victim.
• Try to approach the person from downwind or into the waves. Always use common sense and good judgment. Consider existing condition and ability of the victim and what other help is available. If someone aboard is capable, have the person put on a life-saving device with a line attached to the boat and enter the water to assist the person.
• Always stop the motor when someone is going over the side, or coming aboard.
• Assist the person in boarding the boat. It is difficult to climb into a boat from the water. The person may be hurt or cold and may require help.

Passengers

• Wearing a Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) is your only guarantee against drowning.
• Do not overload the boat.
• Avoid horseplay.
• Have PDF’s readily available for everyone.
• In small boats, remain seated.
• Trim boat by placing passengers and gear in balance.

Before Leaving…

• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Check weather forecasts.
• Ventilate bilges before starting engine.
• Be sure your boat is basically equipped.

While Underway…

• Know and obey the rules of the road.
• Post a lookout for bathers, fishermen, swimmers, debris.
• Reduce speed in harbors and in confined areas. Avoid excessive speed.
• Make no sharp turns at high speed.
• Watch your wake! You could be responsible for injury or damage caused by it.
• In rough water, stay low in the boat and cross waves at a slight angle.
• Keep red-buoys on your right when traveling upstream.
• Tying up to buoys or anchoring in channels is forbidden.
• Carry sufficient tools for minor repairs.

Fueling Tips

• Stop smoking and extinguish all fires.
• Close all vents, doors, hatches.
• Ground the nozzle to tank opening.
• Portable tanks should be filled outside of boat.
• Ventilate engine compartment before starting.

Always Have the Following Items in Your Boat:

• Personal flotation device
• Paddle
• Towline
• Emergency radio
• Bailing device
• Whistle or horn
• Fire extinguisher
• First aid kit
• Flares

I hope these tips provide you with the information you need to enjoy Lake Nacimiento while putting safety first!  If you are not currently a resident of Oak Shores or Heritage Ranch and would like to learn more about the Lake Nacimiento Real Estate market, please let me know!

I’d be happy to show you some of the beautiful homes available on Lake Nacimiento and answer any questions you may have.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Grace Borzini
Your Local Lake Nacimiento Real Estate Expert
Oak Shores Realty

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Oak Shores Realty specializes in Oak Shores at Lake Nacimiento properties. Please contact us today to get more information on Lake Nacimiento lake homes. Oak Shores Realty can also provide you an insiders “Lake Nacimiento Buying Guide” with great information including maps and market information.

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