Arkansas Boating Practice Exam

If your boat capsizes or swamps, it is important to not panic and remain calm in order to make safe decisions. Option A is not the correct choice because swimming to shore immediately can be dangerous if the shoreline is far away or in rough waters. Signal for help using a flare, as mentioned in option B, is a great idea if you have flares on board and are able to use them. However, it should not be your first option as you could waste valuable time trying to locate them. Option D is also not recommended because it can tire you out and use up your energy without actually creating attention for rescue. Therefore, the best thing to do in this situation is to attempt to reboard or climb onto the boat, as mentioned in option C, as long as it remains afloat. This is a safer option as it allows you to stay with the boat and increases your chances of being found by rescuers.