10 Paddle Safety Tips

By Ginny Clay, Director of Operations, TSS

In recent years, paddle sports like kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding have been growing in popularity. They offer a relatively affordable and portable way for people to get out on the water and close to nature while getting some exercise.

But as we approach, National Safe Boating Week (May 18-24), it is important to remember that because of their compact size and the fact that many paddle crafts are intended for only one or two people, paddlers can be especially vulnerable to the elements.  

I have a kayak and love going out on the water with it, but I also follow basic safety precautions to avoid my hobby becoming a hazard. 

1. Consider taking the “A PADDLER'S GUIDE TO SAFETY" course. Developed by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in cooperation with the American Canoe Association, the course provides an understanding of equipment, legal requirements, what to do in emergencies, and more. 

2. At the beginning of the season, I recommend scheduling a free Vessel Safety Check (VSC) through the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

Stop the Bleed Month

Did you know that a person can bleed to death in less than five minutes and that the average first responder arrival time is between seven and 10 minutes?

A severe bleeding injury can happen anywhere at any time. According to the National Institutes of Health 30% – 50% of trauma-related deaths worldwide are due to bleeding or its consequences, with nearly half occurring before the patient makes it to the hospital.

Bleeding isn’t always life-threatening but rapidly getting heavy bleeding under control is key to survival. Minutes count. This is yet another reason a bystander’s ability to take action quickly in an emergency is so important and CPR and First Aid Training is critical to saving lives. (Consider taking TSS’s highly-rated CPR and First Aid Class. )

Signs of life-threatening bleeding

You should take action immediately if you see any of these signs:

• Bright red blood that’s spurting from a wound or won’t stop
• The person is feeling faint, confused or becomes unconscious
• Blood that’s pooling on the ground or soaking heavy clothing

How to respond

Here are steps recommended by the Red Cross and others:

Motorcycle Safety

As any motorcycle enthusiast will tell you, there is nothing quite like the rush of cruising the roads on your machine. But every experienced rider also knows that the roads are full of hazards and that it’s critically important to follow safety practices on every ride to get you from point A to point B in one piece.

According to traffic specialists, motorcyclists are about 29 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and are four times more likely to be injured. This is due to a combination of factors including the different functionality of being on two wheels rather than four, direct exposure to the elements and traffic, without seatbelts or a protective cab, as well as the actions of other drivers. Certainly, the human body is not designed to withstand the trauma of a collision at speeds of 40 MPH or greater.

So, as you get ready to hit the road this spring and summer, use good judgment and take proper precautions so you don’t become a statistic.

In recognition of National Motorcycle Safety Month, here are some ways to prepare for a safe ride:

• The singular most important action you can take to protect yourself on a motorcycle is to ALWAYS wear a helmet.

Prevent slips, trips and falls

No matter what kind of work environment you are in — retail store, office, school, job site or manufacturing facility — slips, trips and falls happen everywhere. In fact, falls are the leading cause of death in construction and, in general, only motor vehicle incidents cause more worker fatalities.

Each year, approximately 230,000 workers are injured in slips, trips or falls, costing businesses an estimated $70 billion, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The good news is that in most cases, these injuries are entirely preventable with some careful housekeeping, the correct equipment and appropriate training.

Coaching Corner: How's your financial health?

By Renee Schofield, NO SPEED LIMIT

As a certified health and wellness coach, I am always gathering resources to help people live their best lives.

WHOA....Coaching is available to help me get control of my money? It sure is.

As a coach, I am not a physician or a magician, but I can support you in creating systems and finding ways to overcome your financial issues. 

Did you know that approximately 60% of employed U.S. adults live paycheck to paycheck? When ends don’t meet, it can be incredibly stressful. 

But often, our struggles with money aren’t really about the money. They are about our relationship with money. Our thoughts around the value of money create the habits of how we spend or save.