Boat and Swimming Summer Safety

It’s hard to believe that July 4th is almost here! If temperatures here in Louisville are as hot as they have been lately, you’ll want to find a cool body of water to celebrate near. We have put together a list of places to cool off and water safety tips to help keep you safe.

Waterparks

River Run Waterpark – is a very popular waterpark in Louisville.  

Kentucky Kingdom & Hurricane Bay – the perfect oasis for a hot holiday.

Waterfront Park – the waterfront for everyone.

Waterpark Safety Tips:

• Don’t go past your limits, and remember to hydrate.
• Use caution when diving into any water…don’t assume the depth.
• Swim in supervised areas or make sure a friend is around.
• Look out for other people in wave pools and on the slides; collisions can be painful and dangerous.

Lakes and Boating

Boating is another fun way to beat the heat, but there are a lot of dangers that come with it.  Lake Cumberland is probably the most famous lake in Kentucky, and it’s only about two and a half hours away.

You don’t have to travel to go boating…you can rent a pontoon boat minutes from Downtown and enjoy the Ohio River.

Here are 10 GORGEOUS lakes in the Kentuckiana area for Boating, Fishing, or swimming. 

Dangers to look out for when boating:

• Other boats – Have fun but always be alert.  
• Ropes – A prevalent issue with boating is watersport ropes getting stuck in the propeller, which will stop the boat from working correctly. They can also get tangled and pull people into the water. 
• Moving boats – If the boat starts moving before everyone sits down, people can lose balance and fall out of the boat.  
• Shallow water – When you first take your boat out, review the water levels for your route.
• Water sports – If you are unfamiliar with water sports, you should have someone show you how to do it properly, so you don’t get hurt. Many things can happen, especially if you are not wearing a lifejacket.

Basic boating safety:

• Wear a life jacket when you enter the water.
• Don’t boat alone, take a friend with you, many things can happen.
• Keep an eye on the weather.

Basic courtesy on the water:

When you are on the lake or river, it’s common courtesy to stay away from still boats. If you are doing watersports or just driving the boat for fun past another vessel that is still, slow down

Another common courtesy on the lake is to watch out for people swimming. People can easily fall off tubes and let go of the rope when doing watersports, so make sure you look out for people close behind other moving boats to keep everyone safe. 

If you or someone you know has been injured in a boating or water-related accident, and it wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact Hessig & Pohl for a no-fee case consultation. We don’t get paid unless you do. (502) 777-1111

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.