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 Planning
For Emergencies
by
Mark King
Boating is such an enjoyable
pastime that most of us often overlook the possibility of an emergency
on the water before we untie and leave the dock.
The fact is, they do happen. While most are not
life threatening, boating and water activities are inherently risky
sports and you do have to be careful. Add the possibility of health
concerns and there is no doubt we should all be prepared in the
event of an emergency.
One of the most terrifying incidents on the water
can occur when the skipper has had an accident or a major medical
problem that prevents him/her from operating the vessel. If there
is no one else on board who is trained to take command or knows
what to do, it could be your last trip. Remember, in many medical
emergencies, seconds count.
As you prepare for the new boating season, spend
some time thinking about what your son, daughter, wife, partner
or best friend would need to know to get you medical assistance
as quickly as possible.
Think through each procedure step by step. Recipe
cards are good for this since they are small and can be safely stowed
near the helm for easy accessiblility. You can also have them laminated
to withstand the rigours of the marine environment. Once you have
the written instructions, review them with the person who regularly
boats with you. Let them practice the procedures to ensure they
work and they are comfortable with them. In an emergency, there
is always a chance of panicking. The cards will simply refresh their
memories as they carry out procedures. (Top)
Here are few ideas to get you started.
If you're at anchor, explain how they can pull
the anchor up quickly and efficiently. Even disconnecting the anchor
is effective. If you use rope for your rode, a sharp knife will
be the best bet. Be sure to point out where it is. Is it sharp or
adequate enough to cut through the line? Let it be known the rope
should be cut over the deck and not over the water. If the knife
slips out of their hands on deck, it can be recovered. If it falls
in the water, it's gone.
What happens if you fall in the water and you're
either unconscious or not able to get back on board? You have probably
spent time thinking about how you would rescue others if they fall
overboard, but can your young daughter use your recovery technique
to get you safely back onboard while she is trying to signal and
call for help? This may take a little thought and some practice,
but both of you will be less apprehensive if you have a technique
you are comfortable with and you know will work in an emergency.
Whether or not you have operator competency cards,
we have all let someone else drive our boat. It's part of the fun
of being on the water. But, in an emergency, it is crucial knowledge.
Make sure you develop a simple read- through procedure
that clearly explains how to turn off all potential explosive devices,
turn on the blower and engines, shift into gear and get underway
with some degree of skill.
Remember, practise makes perfect. Good skippers
instinctively turn on the blower at the first sign of an emergency.
Instill such automatic reactions into your potential life-savers.
(Top)
Ideally the person should know how to dock your
boat and, at the very least, understand the concept of dead slow
and reverse. This should be practised in open water.
In any emergency it's always important to get the
victim stabilized and safe - it's no different on the water. However,
during an emergency in a boat, you must call and signal for assistance.
This raises another important procedure. How do you operate your
VHF radio? What channel do you use? Think through a procedure that
clearly explains how to turn it on and how to make sure it's tuned
into a Canadian frequency (channel 16).
Write out what your life-saver must say from Mayday
to the complete description of your vessel and its location. Also
teach the person how to use the microphone. If you have cellular
phones on board have the emergency numbers written down. In the
event you're boating in an area where Canada adjoins the United
States, you will probably find that a simple call to 911 will bounce
you to a more powerful signal in the United States.
It will be useful to have a card for each area
you boat in with the emergency numbers plus several alternate marinas
listed.
The person should know where the flares are and
how to use them. Also teach them how to use the horn or any other
signals that may be appropriate to attract attention.
Basic knowledge of aids to navigation is important
and also emphasize you would rather get treatment than worry about
a few scratches on the boat.
As you plan your notes, take time and think carefully
about the necessary procedures. We all do a lot of things automatically.
A step-by-step response plan will be worth it, especially
if your life is in danger. (Top)
Lifeline
is produced through the Safe Boater Training Program, a certification
program for recreational boaters.
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