| This article could have just as easily been entitled | | | | asked me to tighten the mainsail winch on the |
| the 'dangers' of sailing, but that word is a | | | | starboard side (the sail was open out to the port |
| misnomer because generally sailing is a very safe | | | | side). He tacked (a sailing term for turning one |
| sport and recreational activity. As long as some | | | | hundred eighty degrees in the water to catch the |
| common sense and practical considerations are | | | | wind) and failed to tell me that he was doing it. I |
| made, that is. More than one thousand people die | | | | was busy trying to free up the winch that had |
| every year from boating accidents; when | | | | become jammed and couldn't see the boom |
| compared to automobile accidents, which number | | | | swing across the deck. Fortunately, my friend |
| over forty thousand in the US alone, the numbers | | | | was just coming up from below deck and caught |
| are quite small. | | | | the boom just before it hit me in the back of the |
| Still, it's important to understand the risks | | | | head. |
| associated with sailing so that you are prepared | | | | What would have happened? I like to think that I |
| and can reduce the chances of you or someone | | | | would have had a splitting headache but nothing |
| you know becoming a statistic. First of all, sailing is | | | | serious, but in all likelihood it would have knocked |
| done on the water, so if you or anyone on the | | | | me out and dumped me into the river. I would |
| sailboat doesn't know how to swim or is | | | | have sunk into the brown murky depths of the |
| frightened of the water, it's advisable that they | | | | river and have been lost. |
| not be pressured into taking the trip with you. | | | | The point of the story is that whenever you sail, |
| People who may panic can also hurt those around | | | | make sure that everyone on deck is well aware |
| them, including you or anyone else on your | | | | of any changes you are planning on making, and |
| sailboat. | | | | be certain that the boom won't hit anyone. Many |
| While powerboating has its own inherent risks due | | | | sailing accidents are caused by the boom striking |
| to the speed at which they can travel, sailboats | | | | someone unexpectedly, tossing them overboard. |
| have moving parts, ropes, and other features | | | | It's also a good idea to always wear a life vest to |
| than can hurt someone, or even worse. I | | | | protect against this type of accident. Even if |
| remember sailing with my father as a teenager | | | | you're an excellent swimmer, an instance like the |
| on the open water of the Hudson River just | | | | one I experienced would leave all those skills |
| north of New York City one afternoon. It was a | | | | irrelevant if you're unconscious. |
| trip like any of the dozens we had taken together | | | | Sailing requires careful consideration and respect |
| for years. This time my best friend was with us | | | | of the sailboat and those around you. If you take |
| as well. | | | | the time to observe the risks, you'll find a lifetime |
| We had become very comfortable sailing and | | | | of wonderful experiences. |
| didn't wear our life vests anymore. My father had | | | | What if I want to buy my own Sailboat? |