Dinghy sailor safety

cfitz

Question for the dinghy sailors here:

What safety precautions do you take when sailing?

For example, will you only sail when there is a safety boat present? Will you sail with just a friend in another dinghy? Will you sail all alone? Do you bring a handheld VHF with you? Do you only sail when there are plenty of other people sailing in the area? Do you tell someone when to expect you back on shore?)

In the days of old we have arrived back at 3 in the morning as the wind dropped and no one was any the wiser.

These days people do all the above including carrying mobile phones, flares and even an EPIRB.

If sailing along, telling people when you are due back and carrying small flares/smoke on your person, which can be used in the water should you fall out etc. I know they don't recommend it, but mobile (or VHF but you need a licence etc etc) is useful if running late, but not much use if you are in the water.

Here is the RNLI's Guide : http://www.safetyonthewater.ie/upload/general/9407-2.pdf