Hitting the Water? Remember Life jackets and Safety Smarts
Published: Sunday, September 26, 2021
Whether your fall plans include time on the Great Lakes or inland lakes and waterways, a little preparation will go a long way toward ensuring everyone in your group has a great time and stays safe.
When swimming or boating in any body of water, make safety your first priority. Never swim alone, always keep close watch over children, and bring U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, especially for new and inexperienced swimmers.
Many, but not all, state parks on the Great Lakes offer designated swimming areas that are identified by buoys or buoys and markers, a beach flag warning system and water depth less than 5 feet at the time of installation. You also may find other designated swim areas in places other than state parks.
Visit Michigan.gov/BeachSafety for more on warning flags, types of currents, and other safety information. Where beach flag warning systems are available, check the flag upon arrival and monitor it throughout the day because conditions can change rapidly.
- Green flag = Go. Enter the water but stay aware of changing conditions.
- Yellow flag = Caution. Watch for dangerous currents and high waves.
- Red flag = Stop. Stay on the beach; do not enter the water and do not swim.
When boating, have life jackets available for everyone aboard, leave a float plan with someone on shore, stay alert, and carry a cellphone or marine radio. That goes for those on personal watercraft like Jet Skis and paddle boards, too. The DNR’s boating safety webpage offers more tips.
Questions? Contact Ron Olson at 517-243-1477.
A version of this article appeared in the Fall Issue (September/October) 2021 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: safety
