Safety Gear Every Boat Should Have

Whether you're a new or experienced boater, outfitting your boat with the proper safety gear is absolutely essential. This is certainly not to say that you should constantly be expecting catastrophe, but like any good boy scout will tell you, its good to be prepared. You always want to be ready for unforeseen circumstances on your own craft, and you never know when a fellow boater may need your assistance. Depending on the state you live in, some of this gear is mandatory and some is optional, but it's a great guide for the basic equipment that safe boaters should never be without.

Personal Safety

Your boat isn't water ready until it has a first-aid kit. In addition to the basics like bandages and anti-bacterial cream, offshore boaters might want to carry seasickness medications and sunburn ointment. If you're going to be fishing, a small hook removal kit can be a godsend. Your first-aid supplies should always be packed in a waterproof container.

A personal flotation device (PFD) for every person on board your boat is a requirement no matter where you live or what kind of boat you have. A lot of people don't realize that there isn't just one kind of PFD. There are actually five different types of PFDs, ranging in buoyancy and suited for different types of water conditions. If you're going to be fishing or cruising far offshore, a type I device is recommended for maximum buoyancy and excellent protection in choppier waters. For recreational boating nearer to land, a type III flotation device offers less buoyancy for calmer waters, and is a bit more comfortable. Additionally, a throwable device such as a ring buoy should be kept somewhere easily accessible.

Communication Devices

Everyone wants that great feeling of being out on the water, remote from land and other people, but in the event of an emergency you'll need a way to reach out for help quickly. If you're going to make do with a cell phone, make sure it's in a water resistant container, but keep in mind that cell phone service is not a given. Sporting goods stores have a wide variety of affordable hand-held radios for a more reliable method of communication.

All offshore boats are required to carry visual distress signals such as smoke signals or parachute flares. For daytime use, distress flags or even mirrors are good methods of signaling for aid. In addition to visual signals, sound signals are a great way to let others know where you are. In low visibility conditions even recreational boats are mandated to sound a fog alert, and many boaters have bells or small horns on board for this purpose.

Injury or mishap can ruin a day on the water, but carrying this basic safety gear can help arm you against whatever comes your way. Check out the requirements for boaters in your state to ensure that your boat is safe and legal.