Think about what to do if someone falls overboard or if there is a fire, breakdown, or collision. Practice putting on your PFD in the water and throwing a type IV personal flotation device. Know the various distress signals such as slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering your outstretched arms. If your boat capsizes, it will usually float. Stay with it for flotation and to make yourself more visible.
Weather is unpredictable.
Watch for changing conditions. Some Kansas waters have wind warning devices installed which alert you to unsafe boating conditions. Locate them for your safety. A schedule of boating education classes can be found on the KDWP website.