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Safety: It’s stressed over and over again by all those who work
and play on the water. And yet, the accidents, the injuries, the
deaths keep occurring.
As a reminder that along with our Arizona water recreation
comes responsibility, here are three tragedies, encapsulated, to
make the point that "safety first" is not just a hollow
admonition. Carbon-Monoxide Tragedies Preventable
PHOENIX — Authorities have been investigating carbon-monoxide
poisoning as the cause of the near drowning of two people at Lake
Pleasant this summer. This has prompted the Arizona Game and Fish
Department to deliver a warning about this dangerous boating
hazard. Since 1998, four people in Arizona have died from
carbon-monoxide-related watercraft incidents.
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is formed by incomplete combustion of
any fuel, including gasoline, kerosene, wood, coal, oil, natural
gas or charcoal. Sources on a boat include gasoline engines,
generators, cooking ranges and space heaters.
Dangerous or deadly fumes can accumulate in confined spaces on
boats, near stern ladders and under swimming platforms. Swimmers
and water-skiers behind running boat engines face the greatest
risk of exposure to exhaust fumes, which can build up to deadly
levels. Boats emit up to 188 times the carbon monoxide that cars
do.
Boaters should be aware of the threats posed by carbon monoxide
and take the following steps to avoid them:
- install a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector;
- never operate watercraft at any speed or run idle
under anchor while a person is occupying or holding onto
the swim platform, swim deck, swim step or swim ladder;
- schedule regular engine and exhaust system
maintenance, and
- educate all passengers about carbon monoxide
poisoning.
"You do not have to be inside the boat to be at risk," Game and
Fish Boating Law Administrator Kevin Bergersen said. "Boaters have
died from exposure on the swim platforms of their boats and in
other areas where carbon monoxide exhaust may accumulate or be
emitted. Be aware of the early symptoms like irritated eyes,
headache, nausea, weakness and dizziness."
To learn more about how you can prevent carbon-monoxide
poisoning on recreational boats and other ways to stay safe, visit
azgfd.gov.
Drowning Claims Life Of Two-Year Old Boy
PAGE, Ariz. – A two-year old boy, Ryan Adams, of Logan, Utah,
drowned
this summer on Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area. The boy
and his family were camped with their houseboat in Warm Creek Bay.
They had come aboard the houseboat to dry off after getting wet
from rainstorms
and to eat lunch. The boy had been wearing a life jacket earlier,
but it
was taken off so he could change into dry clothes. In the
ensuing moments,
the boy disappeared.
The family immediately began searching the area. They
contacted the
National Park Service using their marine band radio to request
assistance. A Classic Lifeguard helicopter was dispatched to the
scene and NPS rangers responded by boat. Other boaters in
the area heard the call and also came to the family’s aid.
When the boy surfaced in the water, NPS rangers and
paramedics from Classic Lifeguard began CPR. He was flown to
Page Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Man From Uzbekistan Dies After Near-Drowning Incident
PAGE, Ariz. – A young man from Uzbekistan died Aug. 12, from
complications resulting from a near-drowning incident on Lake
Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on July 21.
Komil Alimov was using a water trampoline near the Wahweap Main
Launch Ramp when he jumped into the water and began struggling.
Alimov went underwater, and bystanders began diving down in an
attempt to find him and pull him to shore.
After at least 7-10 minutes, he was located by a Dutch visitor
and brought onto shore, where others began performing CPR.
National Park Service rangers responded and continued CPR.
Alimov was flown by Classic Lifeguard to Page Hospital.
He was subsequently flown to
the Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah.
Alimov remained in the hospital in critical condition until his
death.
Although the trampoline was marked, "Life Vest Required,"
Alimov was not wearing a life jacket at the time. He
reportedly did not know how to swim.
Alimov was 23 years old. He was working in a seasonal
position for the park concessioner, Aramark, in the food and
beverage department at Lake Powell Resort.
This is the fourth fatality of the year at Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area. Visitors are reminded that there are no
lifeguards at swimming areas in Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area.
Visitors should always remember to wear life jackets when they
are swimming or onboard boats.
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September
2006