Wisconsin Hunter's Safety Practice Exam

It is important to stay with the boat if you fall into cold water while hunting. Swimming to shore immediately may cause you to lose your sense of direction and tire you out, making it harder to reach safety. Abandoning the boat also puts you at risk of being separated from your hunting party and rescue efforts. Using a whistle to signal for help is a good idea, but it should not be your first priority as staying with the boat gives you a higher chance of being found by rescuers.