Chapter Six - Accident Prevention & Emergency Response

CAPSIZING AND FALLS OVERBOARD

Year after year, U.S. Coast Guard reports list capsizing and falls overboard as the most common cause of boating fatalities. Every year, hundreds of boaters unexpectedly fall out of their boat, either because of capsizing, improperly loading the boat, loss of balance or swamping. Very few people get killed from the act of falling out of a boat. They do die, however, because they do not have a life jacket on to keep them afloat while they attempt to get back into the boat. For this reason, boaters should always wear a life jacket.

Capsizing

To minimize capsizing, follow safe boating practices:

• Do not overload the boat. Follow the capacity plate rating for weight and maximum number of persons and maintain proper distribution of the passengers and gear.
• Never anchor from the stern.
• Avoid boating in rough water or bad weather. Avoid high-speed turns, especially in rough water.
• Do not lean over the side of the boat.

Falls Overboard

To help prevent persons from falling overboard, the operator of the boat should avoid making erratic movements such as sharp turns, quick starts and sudden stops. The operator should always announce his or her intentions to turn, start moving, or stop the boat.

• Sit anywhere not specifically designed for seating such as the gunnels, bow, stern, or seat backs while the vessel is underway.
• Stand up or move about while the boat is underway unless necessary and only if the boat has adequate safety rails or high freeboard (at least 3 feet in height).

Self-Rescue: What to do if you end up in the water

1. If you do not have a PFD on, get one and hold on to it or put it on. Putting on a PFD while in the water is extremely difficult, but can be done. If you have never practiced this maneuver, you may end up expending a huge amount of precious energy trying to get into the vest.
2. Try to get back into the boat, whether over the gunwale or the stern. It takes an enormous amount of energy and physical strength to hoist yourself from the water into a boat. You will have to grab on to some part of the boat and pull yourself up and out of the water to a point where at least your chest is up and over the gunwale. Once the chest is partially inside the boat, kick your feet as if swimming while at the same time pulling your body into the boat.
3. If you cannot get into the boat, stay with the boat. Most boats have enough built-in floatation to remain at or above the water surface. Attempt to get as much of your body out of the water as possible.
4. If other passengers were in the boat when it capsized, make sure everyone is accounted for and assist others. Get them anything that floats, and help them to the boat if necessary.
5. If you have nothing to hold on to, and are not able to grab flotation material, improvise. One method, to be used in warm water only, is to take off long pants, tie leg ends together, pull the zipper up and blow air into the legs (you will have to submerge your head to perform this task). This works well with blue jean material and will hold air for several minutes. As air escapes, blow more air into the waist opening.
6. Use the H.E.L.P position – Heat Escape Lessening Posture. Pull your knees into your chest, cross feet, cross arms over chest and float. If additional people are in the water, huddle together in a group as it may provide warmth as well as a way to help and encourage each other.
7. If signaling devices are available, use them to attract attention, but save one or two until you actually see a potential rescuer. Any shiny object can be used to attract attention.
8. Attempt to maneuver to the nearest shore or shallow water.
9. Most of all – DO NOT PANIC. Being in the water can be life threatening, but it’s not something you can’t overcome. If you panic and believe you won’t make it, you probably won’t. The more you thrash around, the more energy you waste. Have a positive attitude and remain calm. Think of every available option to stay afloat and chances are you will either rescue yourself or get rescued.

Rescue of Others

• Yell "Crew Overboard" and immediately throw a Type IV PFD (ring buoy or seat cushion) to the person.
• Keep visual contact with the person in the water and point to them (this gives the boat operator a visual reference). At night, shine a spotlight or best light source at the person.
• The operator of the boat, if underway, slows the boat and turns in the direction that the person fell overboard. By turning to the same side as the person in the water, the propellers are forced away from the person.
• If you have a GPS, lock in a waypoint. Sound the danger signal (5 or more rapid blasts of the horn or whistle). This should alert all other boats in the area of the situation.

• Approach the person in the water by directing the bow into the waves or wind. This action prevents the boat from drifting into the person and allows the boat operator better maneuverability.
• Maneuver alongside the person in the water.
• Once alongside, shut off the engine(s).
• Immediately throw the person something they can grab onto, such as a boat hook or line.
• If the person in the water is injured, and as a last resort, a passenger can put on a life jacket, with a tending line attached, and enter the water to assist the injured person.
• Depending on the boat size and construction, the person should normally be brought in over the stern.
• Always shut off the engine when alongside the person and especially when bringing the person around the stern of the boat.
• When bringing the person into the boat, stay low and balanced to prevent being pulled into the water.
• Once recovered, check person for signs of trauma.