Developmental Analysis

BOAT SAFETY/WATER SPORTS
Developmental Analysis

Boat Safety ~ Go to Lesson One
     Terminology:    Boating has a language all of its own and like any foreign language it must be practiced
                  in order to master it. The parts of the boat are a good place to start. Each end and side of the boat has a special
                  name. Its height and width also have special terms to describe them. For additional term definitions please
                  see the Boating Basics Glossary Terms.

    Required Equipment In the Boat
       All boats are required to carry certain equipment. Most items must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and kept in
       good condition and used only for their designated purpose. Each different vessel requires different equipment. Students
       should consult the chart below for the equipment requirements for their personal boat.

U.S. Coast Guard MINIMUM Requirements for Recreational Vessels

EQUIPMENT CLASS A
Less than 16ft/4.9m CLASS 1
16 to less than 26 ft/7.9m CLASS 2
26 to less than 40ft/12.2m CLASS 3
40 to not more than 65ft/19.8m

Personal Flotation Devices(PFDs)
One approved Type I, II, III or V (must be worn for PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc. One approved Type I, II, III, PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc. One approved Type I, II, III, PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc. One approved Type I, II, III, PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc.

Bell, Whistle
Every vessel less than 39.4ft must carry an efficient sound producing device. Every vessel less than 39.4ft must carry an efficient sound producing device. Every vessel 39.4ft. or larger must carry a whistle and a bell. The whistle must be audible for 1/2 nautical mile. The mouth of the bell must be at least 7.87 inches in diameter Every vessel 39.4ft. or larger must carry a whistle and a bell. The whistle must be audible for 1/2 nautical mile. The mouth of the bell must be at least 7.87 inches in diameter

Visual Distress Signals

Required to carry approved visual distress signals for night-time use. Must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use. Must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use. Must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use.

Fire Extinguisher
(must be coast guard approved)
One B-1 type approved hand portable fire extinguisher. One B-1 type approved hand portable fire extinguisher. One B-1 type or B-II
type approved portable fire extinguisher One B-1 type or B-II
type approved portable fire extinguisher

Ventilation
(Boats built on or after 8/1/80) At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank. At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank. At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank. At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank.

Ventilation
(Boats built before 8/1/80) At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment. At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment. At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment. At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment.

Back-Fire Flame Arrestor One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors. One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors. One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors. One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors.

        Getting Underway: ~ Go to Lesson One
            Line Handling and Marlinespike ~ When aboard a boat ropes are no longer called ropes, they are called   lines.     At least three and preferably four lines should be carried aboard for docking. A bow line to secure the bow, a stern line to secure the stern, and at least one spring line to reduce fore-and-aft movement. The diagram below shows four lines
            used.

           Basic Knots Every Boater Should Know: Go to Lesson One
           All knots used by boaters are designed to be easy to tie, take a tremendous amount of strain and then be easy to untie.
            The five knots are as follows, and students should practice until they can tie them without thinking about it
1. Cleat Hitch ~ In order to secure the boat to a dock or secure a line to the boat you will probably use the cleat hitch.
Take the line to the ear of the cleat furthest from where the line comes from ( the load). Take one wrap around the base of the cleat and then start a figure eight across the top of the opposite ear. Finish with a half hitch turned under so that the line is coming away from the cleat in the opposite direction from which it came in.

            2. Bowline
Also called the King of knots, the bowline is very versatile. It is used to forma temporary loop in a line which may then be put over a piling or cleat. It can also be used to attach a line to an eye. This knot won't slip or jam.
Start by making an overhand loop which looks like a six ( see first figure). With the end of the line, come up through the hole in the six, come around the back of the line you're holding and back down through the hole in the six. Grab the part of the line that came back down through the hole in one hand and the top of the line you were holding in the other, and pull.

            3. Square Knot (Reef Knot)
Simple to make, the square knot is used for lots of light duty including tying things down. Start with an overhand knot like you were beginning to tie your shoe. Keeping the ends of the lines in your hand on the same side, cross them again and tie another overhand knot. If you do not keep them on the same side you will end up with a granny knot which will jam.

            4. Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
Used to permanently tie to a pole, mooring, or ring. Simply take a full turn around the object being tied to and take two half hitches around the line itself. Over and up through and under and down through.

            5. Clove Hitch
Used to temporarily tie a piling this knot can come loose. You may add a couple of half hitches as above to make it more permanent. This knot is simply two loops with an end tucked under.

            Number of People Who Can Fit Safely in A Boat ~ Go to Lesson Five
           The following formulas can be used to determine safe loading capacity:
            * Remember students need to keep everything in the boat balanced - this includes people, pet, coolers, etc.
                                                                      Formulas for Safe Loading

Horsepower Capacity ~
for small, flat bottom boats:
Multiply boat length (ft) times transom width (ft) Person Capacity ~
Average weight per person is 150 lb..

If answer is :                            Maximum HP is:
35 or less                                     3
36-39                                          5
40-42                                          7.5
43-45                                          10
46-52                                          15 Boat Length X
Boat Width
   Divide by 15 = Number of People

Note: for flat bottom, hard chine boats, with an answer of 52 or less, reduce one increment (e.g. 5 to 3) Boat length and width are measured in feet. Round fractions down to the next lower number.

            Personal Flotation Devices: ~ Go to Lesson Two
           PFD's are important potential life saving devices and are required onboard. Make sure when selecting one that is is
            Coast Guard approved and is designed especially for that individual. The following is a list of PFD's and their intended
            use.
           1. Type I or offshore life jacket

Provides the most buoyancy
Effective for all waters ~ especially open, rough or remote waters where rescue may be delayed
Designed to turn victims to a face-up position
Comes in two sizes: Adult ~ provides at least 22 pounds of buoyancy; Child ~ 11 pounds minimum

2. Type II or Near Shore Buoyant Vest

Intended for calm, inland waters
Will turn some unconscious to face-up position
Adult size provides at least 15.5 pounds of buoyancy
Infant and child sizes each provide at least 7 pounds buoyancy

3. Type III or Flotation Aid

Good for calm, inland waters
Designed so that wearers can put themselves in a face-up position

4. Type IV or Throw able Device

Intended for calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic ~ where help is always present
Designed to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held by the user until rescued
Include buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys

5. Type V or Special Use Device

Intended for specific activities
Some provide hypothermia protection
Least bulky
Inflatable chamber must be worn when underway to be acceptable to meet buoyancy requirements

Click below to see the PDF wearing requirements for each state:
PDF Requirements ~ By State PDF Wearing Requirements By State

FIRST AID FOR BOATING/WATER SPORT INJURIES ~ Go to Lesson Three
Every boater should take an American Red Cross or other approved first aid course. It is not only for personal
safety but also for passengers and other boaters who may need first aid assistance.

BASIC CPR:
1. Call 9-1-1
Check the victim for unresponsiveness. If there is no response, call 911 and then return to the person.

2. Tilt head, lift chin: check for breathing ~ Position the person flat on their back. Kneel by their side and place one hand on the forehead and the other under the chin. Tilt the head back and lift the chin until teeth almost touch. Look and listen for BREATHING.

3. Give Two Breaths ~ If not breathing normally, pinch the nose and cover the mouth with yours. Give two full breaths. The person's chest will rise if you are giving enough air. If the chest does not rise, open the person's mouth and check for obstructions in the throat.

4. Check Pulse ~ Put the fingertips of your hand on the Adam's apple, slide them into the groove next to the windpipe. Feel for a pulse. If you cannot feel for a pulse or are unsure, move on to the next step.

5. Position Hands ~ Position the hands in the center of the chest between the nipples. Place one hand on top of the other.

6. Pushing On Chest ~ Push down on chest firmly two inches. Push on the chest 15 times. * Continue with two breaths and 15 pumps until help arrives.

Download Dr. Eisenberg's CPR Pocket Guide ~ Print one out and keep it on your personal water craft

DANGEROUS SEA CREATURES ~ Go to Lesson Four

Contact Irritants
Sea Anemones

Sea Cucumbers

Sea Urchins

Ingested Toxins
Shell Fish
Tetradoxin

Predators
Barracuda

Moray Eels

Sharks

WATERSKIING
        1. Laws/Safety Tips ~ Go to Lesson Five
        2. Equipment ~ Go to Lesson Five
        3. Dry Land Work ~ Go to Lesson Plan Six
        4. Fundamentals ~ Machine ~ Go to Lesson Seven
        5. Conditioning for Water Skiing ~ Go to Lesson Nine
        6. Water Skiing in cold weather/adjusting to weather changes ~ Go to Lesson Ten
        7. Deep Water Starts ~ 1 foot and 2 foot starts ~ Go to Lesson Twelve
        8. Hand Signals ~ Go to Lesson Fourteen
        9. Retrieving a skier ~ Go to Lesson Sixteen
        10. Cross Overs ~ Go to Lesson Seventeen

WAKE BOARDING
       1. Terms/Equipment/Boat Speed ~ Go to Lesson Eighteen
       2. Tricks ~ Go to Lesson Plan Nineteen
       3. Fundamentals ~ standing on board, 1 hand on handle ~ Go to Lesson Twenty
       4. Pool Work ~ Go to Lesson Twenty One

Back to Boat Safety/Water Sports Home Page

EQUIPMENT	CLASS A Less than 16ft/4.9m	CLASS 1 16 to less than 26 ft/7.9m	CLASS 2 26 to less than 40ft/12.2m	CLASS 3 40 to not more than 65ft/19.8m
Personal Flotation Devices(PFDs)	One approved Type I, II, III or V (must be worn for PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc.	One approved Type I, II, III, PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc.	One approved Type I, II, III, PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc.	One approved Type I, II, III, PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc.
Bell, Whistle	Every vessel less than 39.4ft must carry an efficient sound producing device.	Every vessel less than 39.4ft must carry an efficient sound producing device.	Every vessel 39.4ft. or larger must carry a whistle and a bell. The whistle must be audible for 1/2 nautical mile. The mouth of the bell must be at least 7.87 inches in diameter	Every vessel 39.4ft. or larger must carry a whistle and a bell. The whistle must be audible for 1/2 nautical mile. The mouth of the bell must be at least 7.87 inches in diameter
Visual Distress Signals	Required to carry approved visual distress signals for night-time use.	Must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use.	Must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use.	Must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use.
Fire Extinguisher (must be coast guard approved)	One B-1 type approved hand portable fire extinguisher.	One B-1 type approved hand portable fire extinguisher.	One B-1 type or B-II type approved portable fire extinguisher	One B-1 type or B-II type approved portable fire extinguisher
Ventilation (Boats built on or after 8/1/80)	At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank.	At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank.	At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank.	At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank.
Ventilation (Boats built before 8/1/80)	At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment.	At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment.	At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment.	At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment.
Back-Fire Flame Arrestor	One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors.	One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors.	One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors.	One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors.

*Horsepower Capacity ~* for small, flat bottom boats: Multiply boat length (ft) times transom width (ft)	*Person Capacity ~* Average weight per person is 150 lb..
If answer is : Maximum HP is: 35 or less 3 36-39 5 40-42 7.5 43-45 10 46-52 15	Boat Length X Boat Width Divide by 15 = Number of People
Note: for flat bottom, hard chine boats, with an answer of 52 or less, reduce one increment (e.g. 5 to 3)	Boat length and width are measured in feet. Round fractions down to the next lower number.