This past Friday, December 10th, 2021, my Fundamentals in Biomedical Sciences Class was visited by Ryan Murphy of the Coast Guard Auxiliary as a finale for the 2021 “trauma week” activities. Mr. Murphy was quite dedicated to boating safety and wished to share with us valuable information that may save our lives one day. He began with
relaying some basic information about boating terminology:
-bow-front of boat
-stern-back of boat
-starboard-right side of boat
-port-left side of boat
-gunwale-sides of the boat
-beam-widest part of the beat
-freeboard-waterline to the top of the gunwale
-draft-waterline to the bottom of the boat
Next, Mr. Murphy shared with us valuable information regarding life jackets. State law in Alabama requires that every person 8 and under must wear a life jacket, but Federal Law requires that children under 13 wear a life jacket. Mr. Murphy strongly encourages that we wear a Life Jacket no matter what, for as he says, “life jackets can’t help you if you aren’t wearing it”. He next outlined the various types of life jackets.
wearable with throwable
wearable
offshore jackets
---keeps out of water for a long time
---turns your body face up
---more reflective
near shore
---not as much buoyancy
---cheap option
---might flip you over
floatation aid
---used by coast guard
---has light
---pockets…
---knives
---PLB; flip open; gps; sos signal
---whistle
---rope
---reflective mirror
inflatable
---easiest to wear
---shaky
---have to be 16 to legally wear them
high impact vest
---personal watercraft
---skiing, kneeboarding, etc
---don’t stand out
throwable
cushion
----attach to rope
ring
----attach to rope
----better for bigger boats-quite large
----heavier; won't blow away
Mr. Murphy finished his lecture by taking us outside to see an actual coast guard boat! He walked us through the steps of a coast guard boat check. The coast guard would be confirming you have a kill switch, flares, fire extinguisher, throwable life jacket, and an appropriate number of life jackets.
Mr. Murphy was extremely kind and helpful. He was very knowledgeable on the subject, and I wish that I could speak to him again about boating!
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