Gasoline - The engines that we use are either inboard or outboard gasoline engines. Gasoline's explosive nature requires careful handling; all precautions result from the fact that gasoline vapors are heavier than air, and they explode. Boats with inboard engines should be closed during fueling; When fueling is complete, all hatches and windows should be opened for ventilation and the engine room blower turned on for a minimum of five minutes. Outboard engines tanks should always be removed from the boat and placed on the dock for fueling; oil is frequently added to the gas for proper engine maintenance. When fueling is complete, the gas is placed in the boat and reattached to the engine. Should a gas or oil spill occur on any boat, it is necessary to clean all of the gas up with a rag which is then aired down wind of the boat until it is dry. Failure to clean up a gas spill will result in fumes in the boat; a gas spill in the water is subject to fine by the Environmental Protection Agency. Gas on skin or clothes will result in a skin burn; do not breathe gas fumes.

Fire Extinguishers - Fire requires three things: heat, air, fuel. If one of these three is missing, fire cannot exist; control of fire depends on the elimination of one of the three, and the speed with which you act may determine your life. There are three types of fire extinguishers: Type A extinguishers use water to put out fires fueled by wood, paper, etc. Type B fires are gasoline or oil fires and are extinguished by carbon dioxide. Type C fires are electrical and are extinguished by dry chemical; the first thing to do with an electrical fire is to turn the electrical system off, then use an extinguisher. Using the wrong type of extinguisher can make a fire worse. For example, water on a gasoline fire will spread it; water on a phosphorous fire will have no effect. When using an extinguisher, remove the pin and point toward the base of the fire. Never breathe air saturated with extinguisher contents; chemicals in the extinguisher keep oxygen from the fire, and it will keep air from your lungs, too. You will suffocate.

Life Jackets - You will be issued a life jacket for each boating outing if you are on a smaller boat; remember your number. You must know how one fits and demonstrate that you can fit one to your body. Life jackets are to be worn at all times on smaller boats, when on deck or cockpit in larger boats, and by all non-swimmers. Children under 12 also must always wear them. Life jackets must be fitted to the wearer and the straps fastened. If the life jacket is too loose, it will slip off in the water. Never sit or lay upon a jacket; do not lay it in the dirt or throw it around; its usefulness depends on the filling's ability to float; compression of the filling will render it useless. The same is true for throwable devices (square throwables and ring buoys) on the boat; we call them seat cushions, but they really are not. Should you actually end up overboard in very cold water, move as little as possible. Your life jacket and clothes will form a warm layer of water around you and decrease the likelihood of hypothermia.

Three Points - When you are aboard, you should always have three points of contact with the boat; i.e. two feet and a hand, two hands and a foot, one knee one foot one hand, one seat and two feet, etc. The triangle you form with three points is stable, and you will not be easily thrown off balance when the boat rolls. The old saying is, "One hand for the boat, one for yourself." In extreme foul weather conditions, you may find it necessary to harness yourself to the boat; should the boat capsize, always stay with the boat; you are much easier to find when we come to get you.

Man Overboard - Should you see a shipmate fall overboard, KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM! Point directly at him with your arm outstretched and shout, "MAN OVERBOARD!" Repeat this until you are sure someone in charge knows. Keep your eyes on him and point. The person at the helm will do a Williamson turn and return to the man overboard. Keep your eyes on him and point. Someone will get a boat hook or other retrieval gear. Unless someone calls your name and gives you a task, your sole job is to (you guessed it) Keep your eyes on him and point. If the water is cold, you only have a few minutes to get him aboard before hypothermia causes him to loose control of movements, judgment becomes muddled, and his body temperature becomes too low. The reason it is so critical for you to Keep your eyes on him and point, is that his head is the only part of him above water; his head is too small to be seen in a choppy sea, or even at night on a calm sea. Your ability to keep track of him and not be distracted will determine how fast he will be rescued.

Capsize - Should your boat capsize, you MUST stay with the boat. There are some standard rules: 1) the shore is further away than it looks, 2) other boats can see the capsized boat better that they can see your head in the water, 3) an up-side-down boat is a sure indication of distress, 4) you may be able to climb on top of the boat to get yourself out of the water if necessary, 5) if you are in a sailboat you may be able to right it yourself and sail away.

High Wind, Fog, and/or Storm conditions - Reduce your sail area; it is called reefing. If conditions are still too tough, turn on the engine and power home. Take waves on the forward quarter to avoid broaching; do not get turned sideways to the waves. If you are in a following sea, try to be slightly slower than the speed of the waves so they will rise under you instead of crashing over you. Head home. The best way to avoid this situation is to be continually aware of the weather conditions forecast for the day you plan to sail; when in doubt, stay home. In fog make sure you know where you are, take a compass course, give sound signals every two minutes, tow a line behind you to make sure you are not traveling in a circle, turn on your running lights, if you are at anchor, stay there and sound signals if necessary. Do not anchor or stay in a shipping lane or a well traveled channel.

Power Tools and Electrical Cords - All electrical cords used should have a three prong plug Electricity must travel in a circle; if there is a short in the system, or the floor you are standing on is wet, you will act as part of the circle and the electricity will go through you. However, the third prong on a cord will provide a "ground" for the electricity and allow the electricity to circle through the ground rather than you. Check cords and power tools before you plug them in to make sure they are free of breaks and cracks. Power tools should only be used with permission of an adult and only under adult supervision. Frequently you will need to use safety glasses when operating tools; long pants and shoes are also desirable. Do not take anything apart unless an adult has given specific permission to do so; take the adult to the spot where the project is and talk through the procedure together. Put all tools and equipment away before you leave. Make sure someone knows what you did and if the project is finished or not. Have someone show you where the fuse or breaker panel is for the shop and all boats. Electrical systems on boats are different than house or shop systems; do not do anything with boats systems without instruction.

Swimming - Do not swim alone. The Boy Scouts of America require the buddy system, which includes such common sense rules as: know your swimming ability and stay within your limits, check the chosen area for rocks and other underwater obstructions, post a life guard, have frequent buddy checks, etc. You are required to know how to swim well in a variety of situations; if you do not swim well now, learn.

One Last Note - Our main purpose in publishing these precautions is to offer you a variety of skills necessary for your safety and the safety of those around you. The more you know, the better you will be prepared to help in case of an emergency; better yet, you will be able to prevent emergencies and accidents so we can avoid the issue all together. However, there is one final point that is critical: Know when you can help. However it is equally as important to Know When You Cannot Help. If you jump to help and do not know what to do, you have now made a bigger problem; this is not helping - it is hindering. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to go get someone who can help. The ability to differentiate between helping and getting help is the first and most important skill and decision you have.