Health and Wellness

 I would like to bring your attention to boating safety or boating awareness. Before going on the water, you must know the boat size and the body of water you're in to ensure you're following the proper procedures. Regarding the proper life jacket that is required. The first two types are designed to turn an unconscious person face up. But, the difference between the two is type one is an off-shore jacket meaning the shoreline is not visible. Type two is for near-shore boating. Next, type three is mainly used for water sports or water rescue and is not to be used for boating activities. Type four isn't something that is worn, these are throwable floatation devices that are to be grasped. The final type, five is used for special uses and can only be used with the requirements on the label. Lastly, to ensure your life jacket fits properly put your hands up in the arm and if the jacket reaches your chin it's too big. 

 I want to bring your attention to the wonderful opportunities that Slippery Rock has to offer. Specifically, the Ropes Course here on campus. I have had the pleasure of participating two times; once in my Outdoor Pursuits class and for the School Wellness Education Council meeting. At first, it is very nerve-racking, but once you do it for the first time that built-up anxiety decreases a little. There are five different elements not including the climbing wall to get up to the platform, or there are stairs instead. The five elements are; short cable to high beam, high beam, cable traverse, horizontal ladder, and planks. If you haven't had the pleasure of going on the ropes course, I highly suggest you do it when the next opportunity arises.

In Aquatic Fundamentals today, we were educated on the number of drownings per year and how important it is to pay attention at all times when lifeguarding. Roughly 80-100 individuals drown in Pennsylvania per year, not to mention drowning is the leading cause of infant fatalities. The five signs of drowning are; facing the shore, mouth at water level, head tilted back, body is vertical, and climbing a ladder motion. Failure to recognize these signs can be due to intrusion (performing a secondary duty) and distractions. Therefore, being aware and alert is so important when lifeguarding, but also the training a lifeguard receives is crucial. 

This page was created for health and wellness purposes, to start I want to talk about my Outdoor Pursuits class. Specifically, knot tying for rock walls and climbing. For example, today in class I learned how to do a proper figure eight knot. This is used when one does not have a carabiner, so instead the figure eight knot is used. Three simple rules about the knot are to make sure it's done correctly, ropes enter and exit through the same hole, the number eight is visibly seen, and lastly, the ropes are parallel to each other. Come back for more health and wellness-based content.