BOATING SAFETY

With the kids almost out of school and Memorial Day in just a few weeks boating may be in your future.  Here are a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe while enjoying the beautiful lakes and rivers of central Texas:

 

·         Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any boating activity. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To find a provider of American Red Cross Learn to Swim lesson click here.

·         Alcohol and boating don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination -- over 50 percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, people should not operate a boat while drinking alcohol.

·         Look for the label: Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for yourself and your passengers when boating and fishing.

·         Develop a float plan. Anytime you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. This is important because if the boat is delayed because of an emergency, becomes lost, or encounters other problems, you want help to be able to reach you.

·         Find a boating course in your area (U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Sailing, etc) -- these courses teach about navigation rules, emergency procedures and the effects of wind, water conditions, and weather.

·         Watch the weather: Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Watch local news programs. Stop boating as soon as you see or hear a storm. 

Be safe!

- Denise Blok

SUMMER IS COMING, BE PREPARED

Summer is coming! In central Texas, that means folks of all ages are beginning to make plans to be out on or in the water to escape the heat. Are you planning on boating on Lake Austin or swimming in Lake Travis? Headed to the beach for Memorial Day? Hanging out by the pool? Consider taking a Basic Water Rescue class through the American Red Cross before you head out on your adventure. Basic Water Rescue is not intended to take the place of a lifeguard, but to help prevent, prepare for & respond to emergencies in, on, or around the water. The course prepares individuals for aquatic emergencies by teaching them how to protect themselves while assisting others. Keep your family safe, come join us & learn great tips about water safety.

To register for a Basic Water Rescue course or to obtain more information contact Stephanie Cosmas at (512) 929-1294.

- Lis Wis, Workplace Training Instructor

RED CROSS DISPATCH FROM THE ROAD IN MISSISSIPPI

From John O'Donnell, Emergency Services Response Specialist

We finally arrived and spent the night in Clinton, MS. Got to the job headquarters this morning, where we met up with (Red Cross Volunteer) Carole, and they then sent us to Ackerman, which is about 2 hours northeast of where we spent the night. We arrived at the Baptist church where the Baptist Men had their feeding kitchen set up. There was a lot of confusion about where the shelter was located, but we eventually found it in a town 15 minutes north of Ackerman. The towns in this area are crazy small. Ackerman doesn't even have a stoplight. We stopped by the police station and there was a note on the door saying the officer (officer, singular) was on a call. Totally new world down here.

We're getting pretty close to Alabama. There's been a lot of driving and searching today. We have seen a lot of trees down but no structural damage yet. I reckon (the South is rubbing off on me) that once we head north, we'll start seeing the more severe damage. 

Lots of southern accents and fried food so far. Also, saw my first wild turkey and almost ran it over by accident.

Editor's Note: John recently moved to Austin from Chicago, where he also worked for the Red Cross.  This deployment marks his first experience visiting the deep South.