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Safety

LAKE SAFETY. Make your visit a safe and pleasant one. Common sense and adherence to boating and water safety laws and rules will reduce accidents.

Learn to swim and learn basic water rescue techniques.
Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device.
Do not operate a boat while drinking alcohol or using drugs.
Water ski or jet ski in a manner that does not endanger other lake users. Watch for scuba divers and skiers.
Ski only during daylight hours.
It is illegal for children under 12 to operate personal watercraft.
Insist that your passengers ride only in areas designated for such. Do not allow anyone to ride in any dangerous position which could lead to falling overboard.
Avoid excessive speed, especially in congested areas.
Be aware of underwater hazards such as submerged logs, stumps, and rocks.
Watch your children. Beaches are unguarded, and there may be sharp dropoffs near shore.
Dive only in familiar areas, and check water depth before diving.
Obey buoy markers and signs indicating caution and restricted areas.
Keep your boat in proper working order, and make sure it meets all equipment guidelines established by the Kentucky boating laws.
For your safety, carry the following:

Personal flotation device
Paddle
Emergency radio
Towline
Whistle or horn
Bailing device
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Flares

HUNTER SAFETY TIPS

Tell someone where you will be hunting.
Avoid outings alone. If you go alone, be extra careful and hunt in familiar areas.
Dress properly and be prepared for the worst possible conditions. Protect against hypothermia.
Check the weather forecast before going into the woods.
Identify your target before shooting.
Check hunting equipment before and after each outing, and maintain it properly. Familiarize yourself with its operation before using it in the field.
Always wear enough blaze orange to be highly visible to other hunters.

TRAIL & CAMP SAFETY. The most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare for the trip. Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, your limitations, plus a little common sense can help ensure a safe trip.

Travel with a friend. You don’t want to be by yourself in case of an emergency. Tell someone where and when you are going and how many individuals are in the party.
Be in good physical condition. Set a comfortable pace as you hike. Fatigue leads to exhaustion and exhaustion leads to accidents.
Make camp before dark. Traveling after dark has resulted in numerous injuries from falls, so travel only during daylight.
Think about your footing while traveling near cliffs. Trees and bushes can’t always be trusted to hold you.
Be weather-wise. Know the signs for approaching storms or changing weather conditions. Avoid ridges, exposed places, lone trees, streams, lakes, and rocks during lightning storms. Find shelter in a densely forested area at a lower elevation.
Know how to identify and be wary of ticks, stinging insects, and poisonous snakes and plants.
Learn basic first aid so you will know how to identify and treat on-the-trail injuries and illnesses. Carry a first aid kit with you.
Be alert to symptoms of hypothermia, a condition that occurs when the body’s temperature is reduced below normal because of exposure to cold and wet conditions. Hypothermia can and does occur at temperatures well above freezing and can even occur in the summer. Look for:
- Uncontrolled shivering
- Incoherence
- Fumbling hands
- Stumbling
- Drowsiness
Treat hypothermia by providing immediate shelter from wind and rain. Quickly dry and warm the victim. Medical attention may be necessary if symptoms fail to diminish.
Think before you drink! A stream or spring may look clear and pure, but it can harbor microscopic organisms that can make you sick. Never drink untreated water.
Dehydration occurs when there is an excessive loss of body water. Adults require 2 quarts of water daily and up to 4 quarts during strenuous activity. Dehydration is not always accompanied by thirst, so make it a practice to carry and drink plenty of water. Dehydration is a contributing factor in heat exhaustion and the more serious heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to water fluid losses exceeding intake during hot weather. Usual symptoms are:
- Pale, clammy face
- Profuse sweating
- Weakness • Nausea
To treat heat exhaustion, have the victim lie down with the feet elevated. Use a wet cloth and fan to cool the victim. If conscious, give small amounts of water every 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if symptoms get worse.
Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature increases rapidly and the skin becomes hot, red, and dry as the body’s sweating mechanism is blocked. The pulse will be rapid and unconsciousness may occur. Cool the victim with wet cloths to lower body temperature and seek medical help at once. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency requiring quick medical attention.
If you get lost, stay calm. Panic is your greatest enemy. Try to remember how you got to your present location. Trust your map and compass and do not walk aimlessly. If you are on a trail, don’t leave it. Sometimes the best alternative is to stay put, making you easier to find by those searching for you.
Reduce the opportunities for thieves. Locked vehicles are not always safe, so leave valuables and unnecessary equipment at home, or store them out of view.

CLIFFLINE SAFETY. The clifflines of the National Forest are beautiful, but they are also dangerous. Every year, visitors are injured or killed by a fall from a cliff. For a safe trip, use these safety tips:

Avoid camping near the edge of cliffs. You may be closer to the edge than you realize.
Alcohol and cliffs don’t mix! If you drink, avoid getting close to cliffs.
Foot travel after dark is not safe. If you must travel after dark, stay in familiar areas and use a flashlight.
Plan to arrive at your destination before dark.
Watch your footing when walking near cliffs. Trees and bushes can’t be trusted to hold you if you slip.
Watch your children carefully, and keep them close to you at all times. Don't let them run.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT. The term "personal watercraft" is used to define a category of vessels that have grown in popularity as well as numbers.
Personal watercraft are small (usually 8 feet or less) one or two person motorized craft. These vessels are highly maneuverable and capable of speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour. They are also called jet skis, wet bikes, etc.
Because of their small size and low profile, operators of other boats may not see them as readily. Operators of personal watercraft should exercise "defensive driving." These craft are highly responsive and capable of quick turns. In fact, this is what they are designed for and is part of the fun. However, this kind of operation is considered reckless if done in congested areas of boat traffic.
In addition to being governed by some of the laws that apply to other boats, the following laws apply to personal watercraft:

Children under 12 are prohibited from operating personal watercraft or motorboats over 10 horsepower.
Boaters ages 12-17 will be required to pass a safe-boating test to operate watercraft, or have an adult on board at all times.
The operator must use an engine kill switch when the craft is underway.
Operators and passengers must wear personal flotation devices (life jackets).
No personal watercraft are to be operated from sunset to sunrise.
Where skiing is prohibited, personal watercraft operators will not jump the wake of another boat, perform abrupt turns, or engage in similar acrobatic maneuvers.
In areas where skiing is allowed, personal watercraft operators will not jump the wake of another boat by getting unreasonably close to the other boat or when visibility around the other boat is restricted.
Personal watercraft operators will not pass close enough to other boats to cast spray on another vessel or engage in any other reckless practice which could endanger life, safety, or property.

For more information on safety rules regulating personal watercraft, request a copy of the Kentucky Sport Fishing and Boating Guide from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (1-800-858-1549).