| You are probably like I was some time ago, you would | | | | killer. By taking the right precautions, you will be more |
| love to learn how to sail, but do not know the first thing | | | | comfortable both in and out of the water. |
| about sailing and where to start. Well this article will | | | | Research the weather conditions |
| give you a start to some of the Safety aspects and | | | | Researching what is going to happen with the weather |
| terms use when learning to sail and actually taking to | | | | before you go out onto the water is especially |
| the water. | | | | important for beginners. Weather can change abruptly, |
| Basic Safety Advice for Beginner Sailors | | | | and being caught out of your depth can be both |
| Sailing is a wonderful sport that can provide you with a | | | | terrifying and dangerous. |
| lifetime of entertainment. However, to fully benefit from | | | | Know the rules |
| all that it has to offer, there are some basic safety | | | | When two boats are approaching each other, the rules |
| rules that should be adhered to at all times. You may | | | | of the water are clear. If the two boats are |
| not have noticed whilst watching the Olympics in | | | | approaching with the wind on different sides, the boat |
| Beijing, but every sailor present was sticking rigidly to | | | | with the wind on its port side gives way to the other |
| the basic rules of the water. These are the first things | | | | boat. However, if the boats are approaching with the |
| to study when learning to sail, as without knowing them | | | | wind on the same side the windward boat gives way |
| can put yourself and others in danger. | | | | to the leeward boat. But the most fundamental rule of |
| Tell someone before going out | | | | all is to avoid a collision at all costs, and if you see a |
| One of the most basic of all sailing rules is to inform a | | | | boat not paying attention to the rules then you should |
| friend, family member or club member that you will be | | | | do all you can to get out of the way. |
| going out onto the water. If you are at a club then | | | | Practice capsizing |
| safety precautions, including the presence of a safety | | | | Capsizing poses one of the greatest dangers whilst |
| boat, should be in place. However, if you are sailing | | | | sailing. If on the boat, you are limited to what can go |
| outside of club hours or in the open sea, someone | | | | wrong, but when in the water things get a lot more |
| must know where you are in case something goes | | | | dangerous. You should have already practiced |
| wrong and they need to sound the alert. | | | | capsizing whilst learning to sail, and with good reason. |
| Wear a buoyancy aid | | | | By making sure that you know exactly what you are |
| Following this simple rule saves lives. Most clubs will not | | | | doing in such a situation, you can react calmly and |
| let you out on the water without one, and you would | | | | quickly when it happens unexpectedly. It is also worth |
| be foolish to even think of it. | | | | purchasing a sailing knife, which folds away safely |
| Wear a wet suit or dry suit | | | | whilst you are sailing and can be used to cut ropes if |
| If you are going sailing in cold conditions, or even if the | | | | you become tangled up in them after capsizing. |
| weather is warm but the water is cold, wear a wet or | | | | All the above at this stage may seem a little daunting |
| a dry suit underneath your buoyancy aid. Beginner | | | | to you, as it was for me when I first started out, that is |
| sailors are often shocked by how quickly the cold can | | | | why i can relate to you and why I hope these free |
| set in once they are in the water, and hypothermia is a | | | | articles will help you to get started sailing today. |