Accident Prevention and Emergency Response

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Chapter Six - Accident Prevention & Emergency Response

CAPSIZING AND FALLS OVERBOARD

Every year, hundreds of boaters unexpectantly fall out of their boat, either because of capsizing, loss of balance or swamping. Capsizing and falls overboard are the most common cause of boating fatalities. 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

The most common causes of capsizing are:

• Overloading.
• Improper anchoring attachment point.
• Leaning too far over the side of the boat.
• Turning sideways to a swift current.
• Swamping or flooding caused by not putting in the boat plug, high waves, breached hulls or broken water intake hoses and fittings.

Falls Overboard

The most common causes of falling out of a boat are:

• Not maintaining 3-points of contact (2 feet and 1 hand, being seated with 2 feet on the ground, etc.).
• Sitting on gunnels or seatbacks while the boat is underway.
• Thrown out of a boat during unexpected maneuvering by the boat operator. The boat operator should always communicate his or her intentions (stopping, turning, starting) before the actual maneuver, thereby allowing passengers to prepare themselves.
• Not shutting off your motor if you are going to move from the operator station. If you do fall overboard, the boat could take off without you. Or worse yet, if could dump you overboard and then circle back toward you (known as the “circle of death”). Wearing a “kill-switch” lanyard is a safe way to ensure the motor shuts off if the operator moves too far from the controls.
• Standing up too quickly.
• Loss of balance.
• Alcohol impairment.
• Attempting to retrieve the anchor or an object from the water.
• High-pedestal seat breaking from loose from its mountings.

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

1. If you do not have on a vest – get one and hold on to it or put it on. Putting on a vest 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 the 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. Use the H.E.L.P position – Heat Escape Lessening Posture. Pull your knees into the chest, cross feet, cross arms over chest and float.
10. 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

If a passenger falls overboard, and you are the operator of the boat, follow these steps for retrieval: Note which side the person fell overboard, and turn the boat to the same side. This action forces the stern (and the propellers) away from the person. Keep a constant eye on the person in the water (PIW) and throw a floatation device to him or her. If you have GPS, lock in a waypoint. Sound the danger signal of 5 or more short and rapid blasts to alert all other boats that there is an emergency situation in the area. Approach the PIW by directing the boat into the seas and/or wind. This action prevent the boat from drifting into the PIW and allows the operator better maneuverability.

• Maneuver along side the PIW, and once close, bring engine(s) to neutral. Keep the engines running in case you need to maneuver quickly to adjust the position of the boat for pickup.
• Once along side, toss the PIW a line or extend a boat hook and pull them to the boat.
• Assist the PIW to the swim platform, or lowest freeboard area of the boat.
• As you assist the person into the boat, STAY AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, either on your knees or with knees bent and feet spread well apart, to prevent yourself from being pulled into the water. Maintaining your own balance is crucial.
• Once recovered, check person for signs of trauma.