LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE DAY I ALMOST DIED

1. Never, ever play with boating equipment, and remember to secure it.
2. If you leave your boat, take everything with you, including life jackets (keep spares in the boat).
3. Always ensure the anchor is properly secured (and two anchors are better than one).
4. Always bring a few pieces of warm clothing to the beach. You never know when something may cause you to camp for the night.
5. Never try to swim down a boat that is adrift.

-- Staff Sgt. Alberto Da Silva