Environment

How to Stay Alive in a Boating Accident

Immediately, a test. What’s the big deal about a weeklong trip to some faraway port vs a day trip around the bay? Nothing!! The two are identical!! Before you go off on me with nasty comments about how incorrect I am, I will admit that some adjustments will need to be made in terms of supplies and travel plans. If I were going on a week-long vacation, I would bring additional water, flour, and proper maps. Everything else in my arsenal would stay the same. Most car accidents happen within a radius of five miles of the house, as is common knowledge. If we always buckle up, no matter how short the ride, aren’t we just anticipating the worst? We are trying to reduce the likelihood of injuries in the case of an accident and are taking appropriate precautions. Do we follow the same protocol whenever we set sail, even if it’s just for the day? Let’s hope so.

In what ways should we get ready? What tools do you recommend we bring? Hopefully, everything we need is already there, and we won’t have to run around looking for it. Let’s talk about several tools and drills that can significantly increase our survival odds in the event of a catastrophe.

You should trust someone enough to leave a floatplane with them first. (Uh, don’t bring that individual along on the trip! I know, but it was important for me to create that distinction for my own sanity. There is a fantastic template available at floatplancentral.org. All the information SAR needs to start looking for you is on this document. The second page provides guidance for your trusted individual regarding whether or not to notify SAR. Fill it out and keep it even if it’s just for an afternoon sail!! You’ve all heard the old adage, “Plan the dive and then dive the plan.” The same holds true here. The document’s worth is proportional to how strictly you adhere to it. Don’t make it more challenging for those who are looking for you. It’s not the right time for “Marco Polo.”

Every ship should be equipped with an EPIRB; it’s probably common knowledge. There are new regulations in force, and only 406 MHz devices are valid. Avoid the older 243mhz variants at all costs. EPIRB comes in a few distinct flavors. Category I is the top tier. These will deploy without any intervention from the crew. If your boat goes down, the EPIRB will float to the top where it will send out a signal. That simple. The only difference is that the category II variant requires active use on the user’s part. As you prepare to board your lifeboat, there is one last thing you must not forget. There is no longer any maintenance or updates for Class A, Class C, Class S, or Immarsat E.

The girl is a modern update to the EPIRB. From 70 degrees north or south of the equator, this precise locating gadget can be used with an accuracy of +/- 100 meters. Thousands of miles from shore, I would gladly pay the further cost for this convenience.

What should one do in the event of an emergency that does not warrant the dispatch of a coast guard helo or rescue ship? Is there an option that falls somewhere between the EPIRB and a mobile phone? (There’s probably no mobile service where you are.) Yes, indeed! I’m quite fond of my own personal spot. I bring mine along when I go hiking, camping, dirt biking, or anywhere else I might need a little extra support. The spot is the solution to every problem, whether it’s a flat tire, a non-starting outboard motor, or a life-threatening medical emergency.

It’s portable, waterproof, and packed with useful functions. To learn more about their maritime aid initiative, visit findmespot.com. Insuring a saltwater and freshwater aquarium for around $159 is a fantastic bargain. I’m not here to pitch you their product, but as the owner of one myself, I can attest to the fact that it will bring you and your loved ones back home much-needed peace of mind during your journey. On your next trip, you’ll be glad you brought one along.

There are many useful technological devices on the market today, and most people agree that if you can afford one, you should buy two. The use of both fixed and portable VHF radios is also recommended. However, keep in mind that electronic components occasionally fail. Make sure you have a Plan B at all times.

Somebody who has “been there, done that” taught me that carrying a miniature compass on your wrist is a good idea. While high-tech compass watches may look cool, keep in mind that their batteries will always die just when you need them most. The sort I’m referring to has a magnetic needle suspended in liquid and clips onto your watch band. Extremely helpful, and as long as you wear your watch, you’ll always know which direction is north. (Of course, there are other, more technical means of determining your location, but this is the least expensive and most convenient method I’ve discovered.)

I won’t give my opinion on which lifeboat is preferable. Individuals are unique in their perspectives and experiences. Some people would do better with an inflatable model, while others would require a more permanent structure. Make sure it passes inspection, can stay afloat, and accommodate everyone’s spirits before setting sail!! A backpack with some basic survival gear tied to the boat or kept close is something I’d recommend doing. The bag needs to be both visible and watertight. The North Face vinyl is my favorite. They have high visibility and last a long time. I have one that stands out in the airport baggage claim area because of its vivid yellow color. SOLAS reflective tape should be placed on the exterior for nighttime retrieval.

For added security of the bag’s contents, I used two sealable plastic bags to protect my belongings. The air contained inside the bags provides buoyancy in addition to protecting its contents from water. If you lose the boat and the bag, the bag will float. It would be pointless to prepare an “Oh crap!” Bag just to have it go down with your prized ship. Trash bags that have been sealed shut can be used in the same way to distill water. There must be no single-use items therein. There’s a lot of room inside, but if we fill it up too much it will be difficult to access everything. This is a matter of life and death, not comfort!

So, what exactly is there? Life-saving and rescue-related supplies. Signaling using flares and smoke bombs makes perfect sense. Seeing a ship or airplane is useless if the crew on board doesn’t see you. In case the fireworks don’t work, there’s a signal mirror and a strobe light. You can either put water inside the bag or secure it to the exterior with a tie. A 5 gallon jug will stay afloat if only 3/4 full. Excellent buoyancy in salt water. If you ration it right, those five gallons will last you a long time. (Except when you’re going on a group outing with 10 or more individuals. If it happened, I’d have to change my schedule!) Do something edible and put it inside. You can get some excellent military-grade MREs here. They’re nutritious and may be stored for a long time. I would estimate a lifespan of seven years under perfect conditions. If you replace them every three to four years, you won’t have any issues.

A first aid kit is essential, but that’s a subject for its own piece. The priority in treating wounds is to halt the bleeding. Several space blankets might be a good idea, as exposure is a serious worry. They’re tiny, cheap, and well worth the investment.

It would be pretty helpful to have a very high-frequency radio. Seeing a ship pass by but being unable to speak with it must be really frustrating. Even if nobody is watching the monotonous sea pass by, someone on board is almost certainly listening to the radio. Equipment that is still functional but has seen better days should be added to the survival pack as it is updated. A prevalent example of this is the radio.

If your “3-hour cruise” ends up becoming a permanent relocation, you’ll be glad you packed the fishing line and hooks. It would be wise to wear sunscreen…Even though sunscreen eventually spoils, a fresh supply is always welcome. The difference between life and death might be as simple as an extra layer of clothes or a hat. Exposure-related illnesses like hypothermia, heat stroke, and others are easy to avoid. Make preparations suitable for ambient conditions.

Knife and raft patch kits are mandatory pieces of equipment. If your lifeboat doesn’t float, there’s no need to fix it. As trench foot is a serious risk when spending lengthy amounts of time in the water, you also need a mechanism to bail water from the boat’s bottom. We’d rather not get cold or wet, after all.

Your neighborhood marine supply shop also has a ton of other cool survival gear. You could use some of it, you might need some of it, and the rest is probably an attempt to part you with your cash. Based on your education and experience, you alone can determine the best course of action. Know what you have on board, and don’t put too much faith in technology. Making contingency plans and sticking to them is the other half of the battle. Actively seek out solutions rather than waiting for them to come to you.

The author is a devoted sailor who calls sunny California home. Come speak about sailing with other enthusiasts.

linda