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FIRST AID: You should be familiar with elementary first aid to deal with
problems that may occur while you are far from help. Fish hook accidents
and minor cuts and abrasions are the most common on board a boat, but
you should learn the proper procedures and be ready to deal with the truly
serious problems that could arise: Drowning (mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation); bleeding (pressure and elevation techniques); hypothermia
(techniques for warming the victim); and burns (treatment depends on
severity).
REMEMBER: There's a way of handling nearly every emergency -if you don't
panic in those first crucial seconds. If you've learned your boating lessons
and safety procedures well, you'll have the confidence and the ability to
cope with an emergency, should one arise.
Exhaust and Cooling
Check the engine compartment of a stern drive powered boat periodically
for exhaust fumes, which could mean you have an exhaust leak. Check
manifolds, hoses and connections, too.
Accumulation of water in the bilges could be caused by a break in the
cooling system, leakage around flanges in through-hull fittings, or -on stern
drives -from leakage caused by a damaged exhaust bellows or rubber boot.
During off-season lay-up, the cooling system should be drained accordingly
to manufacturer instructions, to avoid engine damage from freezing
weather.
Troubleshooting
If your boat performance isn't what you're expecting, try this trouble-
shooting guide. NOTE: These are the most common problem areas affecting
performance.
1. Improper outboard motor tilt angle or transom height.
2. Incorrect propeller selection.
3. Improper load distribution.
4. Marine growth on hull or lower unit.
If your boat is an inboard/outboard operate bilge blower for at least four
minutes to expel any gasoline vapors. It's also good practice to leave the blower
running when the engine is running.
