We here at Big Sky Canvas care about our customers safety while out on the water. Here are a few tips to keep you, your family and friends safe.
- Always wear a right-sized, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.According to the U.S coast card in 2016 life jackets could've saved the lives of over 80 percent of boating fatality victims.
- Defend against propeller strikes. Make sure all passengers are accounted for before starting the engine and wear your emergency cut-off switch at all times.
- Carry safety gear on board. On top of life jackets for all, stock a wide-ranging first-aid kit, a tool kit, a horn or whistle, flares and a fire extinguisher at
- Don’t boat under the influence (BUI). According to the USCG, alcohol plays a role in about a third of all boating fatalities, and a boat operator with a BAC of .10 or higher is estimated to be 10 times more likely to die in a boating accident than a sober one. Alcohol's effects are greatly exaggerated by exposure to sun, glare, wind, noise, and vibration.
- Brush up on boating safety basics. Driver error causes more than two-thirds of boating accidents. Ensure you understand all the navigational rules: Go to boat-ed.com to find your state's online boating course.
- Get a free vessel safety check. The USCG will come to you, at your convenience, to conduct their complementary (and consequence-free) assessment.
- Carry a whistle
- Be a competent swimmer
- Know how to self-rescue
- Know how to tow another board
- Know the local regulations and navigation rules
- Know when to wear a leash
- Be defensive – don’t go where you aren’t supposed to be and avoid other swimmers, boaters, paddle boards
- Use proper blade angle to be the most efficient paddle boarder
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