Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
7 1
7. Actions to take when clear of the ship
7.1 Immediate action checklist
- Stay clear of the airplane or ship (out of gas-saturated waters) but in the
vicinity until it sinks.
- Make a thorough search for missing people. Carefully patrol the entire
area near the location where the ship or plane went down, especially in the
direction toward which waves are moving. Look very carefully - some people may
be unconscious and floating low in the water.
- Inspect all debris that comes from the plane or ship. Salvage all rations,
water containers, thermos jugs, parachutes, seat cushions, extra clothing, and
maps. Look for raft supplies like the raft knife, signaling devices, and radio. Be
careful with items such as sharp metal objects.
- Lash equipment to the raft or store it in raft pockets and kit containers
where provided. Keep the containers closed when the equipment is not in use.
Keep dry such items as flashlights, signal guns, and flares.
- Check rafts for inflation, leaks, and points of possible chafing. Bail out your
raft. Be careful not to snag it with shoes or sharp objects.
- In cold oceans, wear as much clothing as possible. Rig a windbreak, spray
shield, and canopy. If you are with others, huddle together; exercise regularly.
- Check the physical condition of all aboard. Give first aid. Take
seasickness pills. Wash off gasoline from yourself.
- If there is more than one raft, connect rafts with at least 25 feet of line.
Unless the sea is very rough, shorten the line if you hear or see an airplane. Two
or more rafts tied close together are easier to spot than scattered rafts.
- Get the emergency radio into operation, if one is available. Prepare other
signaling devices (such as flares) for instant use. Use these items only if surface
vessels or aircraft are in plain sight.
- Keep compasses, watches, matches, and lighters dry. Place them in
water-proof containers or plastic.
- In warm oceans, rig sunshade and canopy. Keep your skin covered, this is
NO TIME to get a tan. Use sunburn cream and chapstick. Keep your sleeves
rolled down and your socks pinned up over your pants. Wear a hat and
sunglasses.
- Ration water and food (if you have no water, do not eat); assign duties;
use canopy or tarpaulins for catching and storing rainwater.
- Keep a log. Record the navigator’s last fix (if possible), time and date of
incident, names and physical condition of personnel, ration schedule, winds,
weather, direction of swells, times of sunrise and sunset, and other navigation
data. Inventory all equipment.
- Keep calm. Save water and food by saving energy. Don’t shout
unnecessarily. Don’t move around unnecessarily. Keep your sense of humor
sharp; use it often. Remember that rescue at sea is a cooperative project. Search
aircraft contacts are limited by the visibility of survivors. Increase your visibility by