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Local Courses Promote Safe Recreation
By Monnie RyanBAZETTA, Ohio -- In early February when temps hovered in the low 20s, snow and ice littered the parking lot at First Place Bank in Cortland. Inside, in the warmth of the bank's lower-floor community room, close to 50 people were seated around tables, intent on learning the ins and outs of boating safety.That boaters would brave the elements to get instruction comes as no surprise to Jim Orsine, a member of the Mosquito Lake Power Squadron and class instructor. For openers, Ohio law requires that anyone born after Jan. 1, 1982, is required to take a 12-hour course before operating a watercraft with a motor greater than 10 horsepower. And, the 415,000 watercraft registered in Ohio puts the Buckeye State in eighth place among the states, so there's no shortage of participants eager to enroll in safety classes.Boating is just one outdoor activity in which safety is a concern. Classes are offered regularly for hunting enthusiasts and, more recently, to prepare Ohioans to apply for a license under the state's new concealed carry firearm law, which takes effect April 8.Training classes on the new law -- which must be completed prior to applying for a permit to carry a concealed weapon -- have sprung up throughout the region. Miller Rod & Gun, Youngstown, has offered basic gun safety classes since 1966 and now includes information on the concealed carry law in the curriculum, says Marlene Miller, vice president and a gun safety instructor.Each class includes 10 hours of classroom instruction and two hours of "on the range" and/or actual shooting, she adds. "Participants must be 21 years old or older and bring a handgun and 50 rounds of lead ammunition," Miller says, noting that the classes are held at the Lowellville Rod & Gun Club."The most important thing we teach is gun safety -- something you must know inside out and upside down," says Miller, who notes that Miller Rod & Gun celebrated its 35th year in business Feb. 20. "The class also includes concealed carry regulations, such as where you're not permitted to carry a handgun, like into any public place that serves alcohol."Upon successful completion of the course, which costs $100 per person, the individual is eligible to apply for a concealed carry permit; those purchased at the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office cost $45, $22.50 of which is returned to county coffers, Miller says.Upcoming classes are scheduled for May 1-2 and May 18, 19 and 20, Miller confirms.Safety is no less a concern for those who traverse Ohio's waterways; last month, in fact, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources kicked off "Operation Overboard," a statewide boating safety campaign that emphasizes the dangers associated with overloaded boats that can become swamped and capsize in frigid waters.And it's safety that is emphasized in state-approved boating safety classes such as those taught by Orsine. These classes focus on such topics as "equipment required by law, such as signaling devices, proper lights, anchors, and the like."Ohio's watercraft safety laws, he adds, apply not only to boats, but to personal equipment like jet skis, which are classified as boats in the Buckeye State. "Topics also include navigation rules like right-of-way," Orsine says. "And because of Homeland Security, there are more restrictions when you're around larger ports, or even bridges and dams.Sessions focus on both Ohio and federal laws, which aren't necessarily the same."State laws supersede federal laws, even if the state law is less restrictive,î he says. ìOhio's laws are very lax; the only time a life jacket is required is for someone under age 10 in a boat 16 feet or smaller. Since Ohio law is [recognized as] the legal one, we emphasize the importance of following federal law."The classes Orsine teaches are sponsored by the Mosquito Lake Power Squadron, founded in 1969 and one of 450 such organizations nationwide. Local squadrons are members of the United States Power Squadron, the world's largest nonprofit boating organization. "We work with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the ODNR and various other national boating organizations," Orsine says.Recently, the Squadron received a $5,000 grant from the ODNR, and Orsine says "all but a few cents" were used to purchase new audio-visual equipment including a projector and computer and a bit of advertising to promote the classes. Except for a $20 fee for the book, which can be shared with other participants, the classes are free.The Mosquito Lake Power Squadron also conducts boat safety checks at the Sand Dollar store in Niles and, during National Safety Boating Week in June, at the boat launch ramp at Mosquito Lake State Park.Last year, some 400,000 hunting licenses were sold in the Buckeye State, according to a report from Gov. Bob Taft -- and Ohio's hunters can't escape the focus on safety. Obtaining a first-time license in the Buckeye State requires completion of a Hunter Education course, says Bill Airhart, instructor at a recent course sponsored by the Ohio Division of Wildlife at the Western Reserve Fish & Game Club, Niles. "Ohio's license is good in all states and Canada," he points out. "There no cost for the class, and all instructors are unpaid volunteers."Average class size ranges from about 20 to 64, which one one of our biggest ones," Airhart continues. "We hold eight to nine classes each year, and our eight or nine instructors each take a turn being the lead instructor, which is a little easier on us."Next up, he says, is a session April 24 and 25.Topics include basic safety and information on firearms and general first aid as well as more specific knowledge such as how to handle a firearm when crossing a fence or stream and how to use a tree stand, Airhart notes. The class covers both gun and bow hunting. "There's no age limit for hunting in Ohio," he says. "We had class participants as young as 7 years, although they tend to have a harder time. But we have a pretty good success rate -- at one recent class, everyone passed."Passing requires correctly answering 80 or more of the 100 questions on a written examination, says Airhart, who trained to be an instructor after he retired from the General Motors Lordstown Assembly plant after 30 years."We've had grandparents who are hunters bring in their grandkids, and then the grandparents end up saying they've learned something as well," he recalls. "I just love to see the gleam in the kids' eyes when they pass the test -- they can't wait to get out there with mom and dad."Visit the United States Power Squadron: www.usps.orgVisit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: www.ohiodnr.com."