Boating Basics: On the Water

Other Boating Emergencies

A safe boater knows how to prevent and respond to other boating emergencies.

Falling Overboard

To prevent persons falling overboard:

• Don't sit on the gunwale, bow, seat backs or any other area not designed for seating
• Don't sit on pedestal seats when at greater than idle speed
• Don't stand up in or lean out from the vessel
• Don't move about the vessel when underway.

If someone on your vessel falls overboard:

• Reduce speed.
• Throw the victim a life jacket (personal flotation device (PFD)).
• Turn the vessel around and carefully pull alongside the victim, approaching the victim from downwind or downcurrent, whichever is stronger.
• Stop the engine. Pull the victim in over the stern.

Capsizing or Swamping

To prevent the vessel from capsizing or swamping:

• Don't overload your vessel. Balance the load.
• Turn your vessel at controlled speeds.
• Anchor to the bow of the vessel, never to the stern.
• Don't boat in rough water or bad weather.

If you capsize or swamp your vessel, or if you have fallen out and can't get back in, stay with the vessel.

• Try to reboard or if the vessel is overturned or swamped, hang onto or climb onto it. Get as much of your body out of cold water as possible.

If the vessel sinks or floats away, don't panic.

• If wearing a life jacket, remain calm and await help.
• If you aren't wearing a life jacket, look around for one or for other buoyant items to use as a flotation device.
• In cold water, float rather than tread.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is defined as the lowering of the body core temperature. Hypothermia can cause death, and occurs when the body loses heat faster than it produces it. It can occur anytime an individual is exposed to cold, wet or windy weather.

• Dress in several layers of clothing under your life jacket (PFD) or wear a wetsuit or dry suit.
• Learn to recognize the symptoms of hypothermia. Symptoms begin with shivering and bluish lips and nails, and progress to a coma and, ultimately, death.
• To reduce the effects of hypothermia:
  • Get as much of your body out of the water as possible.
  • Don't take your clothes off unless necessary. Remember, clothes trap heat and can help you float.
  • Always wear a life jacket. It helps you to float without excessive movement and insulates your body.
  • Draw your knees to your chest and your arms to your sides protecting the major areas of heat loss.
  • If others are in the water with you, huddle together with your arms around their shoulders.
  • Don't thrash or move about. Excess motion consumes energy and increases loss of body heat.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas. CO can make you sick in seconds. In high enough concentrations, even a few breaths can be fatal. Sources of CO on your vessel may include engines, gas generators, cooking ranges, space and water heaters.

Early symptoms of CO poisoning include irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness and dizziness. They are often confused with seasickness or intoxication. Get anyone with these symptoms into fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention—unless you're sure it's not CO.

To protect yourself and others against CO poisoning while boating:

Install and maintain CO detectors inside your vessel. Replace detectors as recommended by the manufacturer.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Situations

Descriptions of Various Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Situations	Illustrations
Blocked Exhaust Outlets can cause carbon monoxide to accumulate in the cabin and cockpit area.
Teak Surfing or dragging or water-skiing within 20 feet of a moving vessel can be fatal. If persons are using swim platform or are close to the stern, all gasoline-powered generators with transom exhaust ports must be off.
Another Vessel’s Exhaust that is alongside can emit carbon monoxide into the cabin and cockpit of your vessel. Your vessel should be at least 20 feet from a vessel that is running a generator or engine.