A nice day on the water can quickly turn dangerous when alcohol enters the mix.
Boaters, paddlers, and even swimmers are still soaking up the last of the warm days and fishing continues well into the cooler months, but adding alcohol to any of those activities could potentially end in disaster.
While wearing a lifejacket is the most common water safety guideline, avoiding the use of alcohol while on the water is also critical to your safety.
Alcohol and water activities are a dangerous combination. Alcohol can impair your judgment and coordination, but it can also increase risk-taking behavior.
According to the United States Coast Guard, alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2023, accounting for 79 deaths, or 17 percent of total fatalities.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD) attributes operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol as the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here's how alcohol influences several aspects of water-related activities:
Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making: Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, leading people to take unnecessary risks they would typically avoid, such as swimming in unsafe conditions, operating boats recklessly, or neglecting to wear life jackets.
Reduced Coordination and Balance: Alcohol affects motor skills, reducing coordination and balance, which are critical abilities for swimming, paddleboarding, and boating. Impaired coordination can make it difficult to swim against currents, balance on a paddleboard, or maneuver a boat, increasing the risk of drowning or collisions.
Delayed Reaction Times: Reaction time is significantly slowed by alcohol consumption, making it harder to respond quickly in emergencies, such as avoiding obstacles while boating or helping someone who is struggling in the water. This delay can lead to accidents that might otherwise have been prevented.
Increased Risk of Hypothermia: Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, leading to faster heat loss. This can increase the risk of hypothermia, even in relatively warm water, as the body is unable to maintain its core temperature. Hypothermia can impair the ability to swim and lead to drowning.
Compromised Group Safety: Alcohol doesn't just affect the individual; it can compromise the safety of an entire group. An intoxicated person may put others in danger by acting unpredictably, distracting the boat operator, or failing to assist others in need. If the person in charge of safety is intoxicated, their ability to protect others is significantly diminished.
Increased Likelihood of Drowning: Alcohol is a leading factor in drowning incidents. The impaired physical and mental faculties caused by alcohol make it more difficult to stay afloat, recognize when you're in danger, or call for help, especially if you fall overboard unexpectedly.
Dehydration Risk: Heat plus alcohol can equal trouble. If the outside temperature is high and alcohol is consumed, it could lead to fluid loss through perspiration and increased urination. Together, they can quickly lead to dehydration or heat stroke.
Impaired Perception of Risk: Alcohol alters the perception of risk, leading individuals to underestimate the dangers of water-related activities. This false sense of security can result in neglecting safety precautions, such as swimming in areas with strong currents, operating a boat at high speeds, or attempting challenging maneuvers while paddleboarding.
Legal Consequences: The laws in Texas for operating a boat under the influence of alcohol are the same as operating a motor vehicle on land. Whether steering a boat or paddling a canoe, it is illegal to operate a boat if you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you operate a boat while intoxicated, you can face fines, loss of license, and even jail time. While you can enjoy alcohol and drink on boats in Texas, you can not become intoxicated as an operator. As a passenger, you should enjoy alcohol responsibly due to the other risk factors that alcohol contributes.
These factors illustrate how alcohol can have a far-reaching impact on water safety, creating a dangerous ripple effect that can turn a day of fun into a tragedy. To ensure a safe experience on the water, it's critical to avoid alcohol consumption.