Respect the water

 

"Respect the ocean" was not only what my dive instructor so wisely told us, but it was always his overriding theme for any certifications or dives he led. I was a young teen and learned how right he was by making many of my own mistakes along the way, luckily with no serious consequences.

"Never swim alone" was what my mom, an avid swimmer who had won many meets in her day, would remind us as kids over and over again. For a young family growing up around the pool and the lake, it was wise advice.

I absolutely love the water and so my children have grown up very much around the water. I have always tried to teach them and ingrain in them a respect for the water. You can have all the fun in the world, be completely confident around the water, and enjoy it to its fullest, but only when you put safety first.

Never under estimate the power of the water or the conditions, know your limits, be knowledgeable and prepared mentally, follow the rules, and if you do get into trouble, never, ever, ever panic. In an emergency of any kind you need to think, and panic will kill you, especially on the water. Of course it’s always better to use the brain God gave you, be smart and avoid any problems to begin with.

As usual the family was up on the lake over the 4'th and whenever there’s a holiday you get all those people who either don’t know the boating laws, or simply don’t care to follow them. I did not hear of any serious problems on the lake yesterday, but here is an article about an unfortunate accident that happened on Long Island, NY and could have easily been completely avoided.

Always remember to “Respect the Water”