SURVIVAL AT SEA!

SURVIVAL AT SEA

Conditions of survival at sea are perhaps worse than those of any other environment and make the sternest demands. Planes and boats carry survival equipment, but even getting into a dinghy in a heavy sea can be difficult. Once any emergency supplies of food and water run out, sources are not reliable, so any possibilities of obtaining food from the sea and collecting drinking water must be exploited to conserve supplies as long as possible. Not all fish are edible and some are even dangerous to handle. Shark dangers are often exaggerated, but should not be ignored. Appropriate action is needed to avoid or deter them. A difficult coast can make even a final landfall hazardous, so heed the advice on lessening the risks.

MAN OVERBOARD!

If you have been swept overboard your first aim, apart from keeping afloat, will be to attract attention. Sound travels well over water, shouting and splashing can be effective. Wave with one arm above the water – movement will make you more noticeable.

Swimming

Swim slowly and steadily. If you are abandoning a sinking boat or aircraft get upwind and stay clear of it. Keep away from any oil or fuel slick. If there is a fire and you have to enter the water, or swim through flames, jump into the water feet first and up wind, swimming into the wind using a breast stroke, try to make breathing holes by splashing the flames away from the head. If the fire is not too extensive it is best to swim underwater until clear of that danger. If there is a danger of an underwater explosion while you are in the water, the risk of injury will be reduced if you swim on your back. If within sight of land don’t battle against the ebb, relax and float until it turns and helps to carry you to land. If the sea is too rough to float on your back adopt this technique:

Float upright in the water and take a deep breath.
Lower your face into the water (keeping your mouth closed) and bring your arms forward to rest at water level.
Relax in this position until you need to take in more air.
Raise your head above the surface, treading water, and exhale. Take another breath and return to the relaxed position.

Flotation bags

You can improvise a short term flotation bag from a pair of trousers. Knot the bottoms of the legs, sweep them over the head to fill with air, then hold the waist below the water to trap the air inside, making the legs into water wings to lean on.

Immediate action

Once you are clear of the wreck and have got your bearing inflate your dinghy or look out for a boat or raft or wreckage which can offer support. If there is no boat or dinghy grab as much flotsam as possible to use as a raft. Tie it together with anything that is available – ties, belts, shoelaces, spare clothing. Salvage any floating equipment.

SURVIVAL AFLOAT

Rafts, boats and dinghies are built to carry a limited number of survivors. The lives of those aboard will be even more endangered if these numbers are exceeded. The safety of the majority must be the priority. Place the infirm, youngsters and any injured in the dinghy or boat first and as many of the able-bodied as the boat is made to accommodate. The rest must hang on in the water. The fit survivors aboard should rotate with those in the water on a regular and frequent change-over rota. Stow all the gear in any stowage places provided and tie everything securely. Check all signaling equipment: flares, rockets, heliographs. If distress signals have already been sent out you will need them to attract the attention of rescue parties when they are searching for you. If a distress call has gone out giving your position it is best to try to maintain location, so put out a sea anchor. This should look like a large canvas bag. Streamed out from the boat it will keep it into the weather and slow down drift. You can improvise a sea anchor from any weighted object securely tied to a paddle with reef knots. If you do not know where you are do NOT attempt to navigate until you have established your position, but if you can see the shore head towards it.

SURVIVAL PRIORITIES

PROTECTION from the elements and the effects of exposure.
LOCATION try to establish where you are and the best way of attracting rescue.
WATER take stock of supplies, ration it at once, start collecting any rain.
FOOD don t eat, unless you have sufficient water, check all rations available, stow them securely, start fishing as soon as possible.

WATCHES AND LOOKOUTS

In a group assign watches. There should be a look out all the time, even in darkness. Each watch should be for a short period to avoid exhaustion and lack of concentration. It is better for everyone to have several watches a day than for any one person to have long periods on duty. It is the responsibility of the watch to look out for shipping, aircraft, signs of land and for seaweed, shoals of fish, birds, wreckage. They should also inspect the raft for signs of leakage or chafing.

DECIDING FACTORS

Take these factors into consideration in making your decision whether to stay or travel:
The amount of information signaled before the accident.
Is your position known to rescuers? Do you know it yourselves?
Is the weather favorable for a search?
Are other ships or aircraft likely to pass your present position?
How many days supply of food and water do you have?

WATER RATIONS

DAY 1 :
NO WATER! The body is a reservoir and has a store.

DAY 2 – 4 :
400 cc (14oz) if available.

DAY 5 ONWARDS :
55 – 225 cc (2-8oz) daily, depending on the climate and water available.

AlertPay

Prijavi se:

https://www.alertpay.com/?cHmpvyCInSHnxxX9Puyklw%3d%3d

When drinking moisten the lips, tongue and throat before swallowing!

REMEMBER:

DO NOT drink sea water!
DO NOT drink urine!
DO NOT drink alcohol!
DO NOT smoke!
DO NOT eat, unless water is available.

Sleep and rest are the best way of enduring periods of reduced water and food, but make sure that you have adequate shade when napping during the day.
If the sea is rough, tie yourself to the raft, close any cover and ride out the storm as best you can. RELAX is the keyword, at least TRY to relax.

FALSE ALARM

Not every fin showing above the surface is attached to a shark! The wing tips or large rays may break the surface and appear to belong to a pair of flippers of whales may also appear likewise those of porpoises and dolphins, which are harmless and will probably show themselves more completely.

If you have shark repellent, follow manufacturer s instructions, but use only if the situation is very grave. The repellent will soon dissipate in the water and become ineffective. Choose your moment well, since you can only use it once.

Keep yourself tied to your raft. Even if it is overturned or damage and you are rendered unconscious, you stand a chance of surviving. Alone in the water and dashed on the rocks – you are DEAD!