One of the nice things about living in Rhode Island is that you are never far away from an aquatic adventure. We hope that you prepare adequately however you decide to spend your free time. Whether you decide to kayak down Buckeye Brook or take a big boat out on the bay, make sure you use adequate boating safety. At Karns & Kerrison, we would prefer that you never had to engage an injury lawyer, and proper safety equipment is one part of that goal.

It is not always possible for you to avoid a boat collision, especially when it is caused by a reckless boat driver on crowded water during popular recreation seasons. However, it could be possible for you to mitigate the damage these accidents cause by using all the safety tools available:

• Equipment maintenance
• Safety gear
• Training

Out of all of these, it is difficult to say which is the most important to you in any given incident. However, if you are like most boaters, chances are that safety gear is one of the first things that gets neglected on your outings. 

We find that personal floatation devices are some of the most important items to bring when you go out on the water. Even if you are a great swimmer, there is always the chance a boating accident could leave your limbs damaged, knock you unconscious or provide any number of other challenges. It is easy to understand why you might not want to reach for those chunky orange life preservers, but they could help you survive an otherwise impossible situation.

One way to start to enjoy your life preservers is to update them. If you are unsure which to choose, Consumer Reports publishes an annual report on the year's best life vests. These are often comfortable and inconspicuous devices that could potentially save your life during an aquatic crisis. Please check our main legal site if you would like to read more.