Kiwis love getting out on or in the water boating, fishing and diving for seafood, but water safety MUST be part of your routine. Water Safety New Zealand has put together this simple checklist to help you stay safe this summer.
Safer boating
- Always wear a fitting lifejacket – no excuses
- Take two forms of waterproof communication
- Check the marine forecast
- Avoid alcohol
- Skipper, take responsibility and lead by example, and
- Before every trip do a safety check of all your gear.
Safer rock fishing
- Fish with a buddy and wear a lifejacket. Last year four out of the five land-based fishing deaths were men fishing alone.
Safer diving
- Always dive with a buddy
- Use dive flags – always
- Make sure you’re fit enough. If you’re over 45 – get a medical assessment, and
- After each dive carry out a safety check of your gear.
Water Safety New Zealand’s CEO Jonty Mills says, “Follow the water safety code. Be prepared, watch out for yourself and each other, be aware of the dangers, and know your limits and you’ll come home safely at the end of the day.”
Visit www.watersafety.org.nz/comehome for more details.
