This won't qualify as any kind of a ground-breaking blog entry, but it's important stuff, nonetheless.

Central Maine waters are still icy cold, and that means being prepared. If you are out in a boat, canoe or kayak -- which the Maine Warden Service is urging against right now -- it's important to keep a few things in mind.

Here are some cold water survival tips from the MWS:

*Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. When taking the boat out early in the season, and especially when hunting and fishing, form a group and take several boats along.

* Dress properly for the cold. Several layers of light clothing offer better protection than a single heavy layer. Next to a diver’s wet suit, wool or polypropylene offers the best protection.

* Always wear your life jacket when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put on a life jacket in cold water.

* If you do find yourself in cold water, try not to panic. Think survival. Keep movement to a minimum and if you do have to tread water, do it slowly. This will reduce heat loss and aid retention of the air trapped inside your clothing, which can provide buoyancy and insulation. If you find yourself in swift water, float and point your toes downstream.