Boating can be a delightful and invigorating pastime for people of all ages, including senior citizens. However, ensuring the safety and well-being of older individuals on the water requires some special considerations. In this article, we’ll give you tips on how to keep yourself safe and comfortable while you’re out on the water.

Always Wear Your Life Jackets

Regardless of how well you swim, wearing is important whether you’re fishing or you’re simply cruising on a boat. Accidents can happen quickly and unexpectedly and a life jacket makes all the difference in letting you stay afloat on water until help arrives. Make sure the life jacket fits you properly and that there are no holes or tears on it.

Boat Only During Daylight Hours

While it’s always nice to boat during the twilight hours to nighttime, it’s best not to do this, unless you’re with a bunch of people younger than you who are capable of boating in the darkness. Reduced vision and mild confusion will

Make Your Boat A Comfortable Vessel For You Travel In

A lot of seniors value comfort over anything else but the same goes for a lot of people regardless of age. So, it’s no surprise you want this whole excursion stress-free. After all, your joints and your bones are not what they used to be when you were in your 20s and back pains, stiffness, soreness, and joint pains are part of your life now. Make sure to invest in comfy and ergonomic seats, beds, cushions, and mattress that promotes lumber support. It’s important to choose these types of upholstery to ensure you won’t get hurt.

Enroll In A Safe Boating Course

This next tip isn’t only limited to senior citizens but to all boating enthusiasts out there. There are boating courses, both face-to-face and online classes, available for anyone to join. These courses will help everyone enrolled in the course to know all the boating rules and responsibilities of a boater and how to properly use your marine equipment and gear. If you need a refresher course, you should join a boating class pronto.

Don’t Go Out Alone

To reduce the risk of seniors getting gravely hurt or ill (or worse) while boating, they should boat in pairs. Before you head out on the water, see if any of your mates, relatives, children, grandkids, or neighbours want to tag along. You’ll be sure that at least one would want to tag along, so you can be assured someone will accompany you and you’ll have a buddy to talk to and help you out in operating the boat.

Wear Appropriate Boat Shoes

Wearing proper footwear is crucial for staying safe while boating as this will help you avoid slipping and falling which could result in you getting injured. Invest in a pair of marine shoes with soft rubber soles. They have improved traction which reduces slips during wet conditions.

Maintain Your Boat

Regular maintenance is a secret key to safety boating. Some boating incidents are due to malfunctioned boat parts, so it’s essential for you to take care of your boat. Make sure you do the necessary maintenance for your boat engines, boat hulls, and the interior spaces to keep them in good condition. Read your owner’s manual to see how you can maintain your boat properly. For example, if you have a Stacer 499 Wild Rider, peruse its manual to know how you can properly maintain the boat.

Be Careful In Going In and Out of Your Boat

Boarding and disembarking a boat can be a challenge for elderly folks, especially if the boat is unstable due to strong waves or there isn’t a proper ramp attached to the boat. Use caution and hold onto stable surfaces to avoid falling into the water or hitting yourself on the dock or boat.

Check the Weather

Before heading out on the water, never forget to check the weather forecast. Avoid boating in high winds or storms, and be aware of any changes in the weather while on the water.

Keep Safe

Be careful about getting sunburned or dehydrated. Make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and any necessary medication on your boating trip. Don’t forget to stock your boat with a first aid kit and emergency supplies. If you have a medical condition, it’s also a good idea to let someone you trust inform them about your condition and medication in case of an emergency.