According the the US Forest Service, nearly 1,000 people die each year in boating accidents, and 50% of these accidents are alcohol-related. Wearing a lifejacket and operating a boat only while sober reduces the chances of a fatal boat accident drastically. Jet skis and other small watercraft also come with their own inherent risks. Because of their small size, other, larger boats may not be aware of approaching jet skis and other small watercraft. Jet skiers should practice safe driving techniques: drivers should be constantly aware of their surroundings and quick turns, high speeds and other maneuvers for open waters where there are no wakes and good visibility. Individuals seen drinking while operating a boat or jet skis, or practicing unsafe maneuvers in crowded areas, should be treated with caution and reported to safety officials on the lake.
Electric shock drowning impairs muscle function as a person is electrocuted in the water, thus impairing his or her ability to swim. Electric currents in the water are most commonly caused by boat wiring that is not in compliance with safety standards, according to the US Forest Service. Marinas under contract with the US Forest Service are inspected each year to ensure compliance with US Forest Service safety standards, but individual boats are inspected at the responsibility of the owner. If you feel tingly in the water, or see sparks, report to the marina or lake safety officials immediately.
Not all lakes have cliffs adjacent to them, but, for those that do, cliff diving is a serious and wide-pread problem. Even jumping from rocks around a lake is extremely dangerous. According to the US Forest Service, there is a high number of deaths from individuals practicing cliff, rock and ledge diving, and the number of injuries or deaths increases as the height of the jump does. For instance, if the water is shallow, the body will hit land at 17 mph from a jump of ten feet, and this velocity increases as the height of the jump does. Even if the water is deep, the speed at which the body contacts the water is such that the impact is extremely jarring and can cause spinal compression and broken bones, according to the US Forest Service.
