Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
7 2
using all possible signaling devices. Keep your mirrors handy; use your radio
whenever you see rescue vehicles.
7.2 After the wreckage
Use Clothing: A life jacket will save a lot of energy, but if you don’t have any and
can’t hold on to any buoyant thing, you might be able to use some of your
clothing to help you stay afloat with a minimum of energy.
Air might naturally be caught in your shirt (you might even blow in it to add
some). If you have pants on, tying knots on both legs will let you capture air
inside and use it as a float.
To do so hold the waistband open and swing it open in the air to fill it up and
place the inflated pant-legs deep in the water holding on to the waist.
The legs full of air will float you. It might take a few tries and you might have to
repeat this technique every few minutes (as the air escapes through the fabric),
but it might save you some energy. Note: It might be useful to keep on shoes (to
avoid injuries later. But boots might fill up with water and add weight).
Save Your Energy: If you are in the water and have nothing to help you
(equipment, clothing) keep afloat. It is important to save your energy.
Unless you can swim to shore (within a reasonable distance and the current isn’t
against you) you should avoid swimming and save your energy as much as
possible. The density of the human body is much lower than the density of salt
water (and for women density is lower than men). This means that it is easy to
stay afloat. However, fear often causes people to drown as exhaustion and
frenzied breathing leads to swallowing water.
A few sips can cause you to drown. It is important to relax. The easiest way to
save energy is to float on your back. You can become more buoyant by taking
deep breaths. Some people might have difficulties with this technique (ie. diving
legs). If so, lay on your stomach with your face in the water and spread your
arms apart. When you need to breathe, push your arms through the water and
raise your head just long enough to breathe.
This is the easiest way to float (all snorkelers have experienced it. Of course it is
much easier with a mask and snorkel as you don’t need to raise your head to
breathe). If the sea is too rough these two techniques might not work. Use the
second technique (float on your stomach), but let your legs dive in. You will
almost be in an upright position (more stable in the waves). Keeping your head
underwater until you need to breathe will save you a lot of energy (you
Avoiding Drowning: Inflatable rafts have proven to be the most seaworthy crafts
to survive storms and heavy seas. Life jackets (PFD) are mandatory equipment
on all vessels and represent the best personal floatation device. If you are not
wearing one and can’t possibly grab one or a rescue buoy at the time your ship
goes under, you should try to grab on anything else that might help you keep
afloat. On a dive boat, a wetsuit would be a great piece of equipment to grab).
On other boats, look for anything else that will support your weight and be easy