America’s Boating Course
3rd Edition
Adverse Conditions
and
Emergencies
Chapter 3
Section 11
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
1
>>
In An Emergency …
Wear your PFD
Have crew wear PFDs
Have guests wear PFDs
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
2
>>
Man Overboard Prevention
Use tether or jackline
Stay in cockpit or cabin
Watch crew & passengers
Account for all
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
3
>>
Man Overboard
Recovery Procedures:
Shout ‘man overboard’
Throw floatation
Assign ‘watcher’
Circle back – approach into wind
Turn engine off – in gear
Consider ‘Lifesling’ to assist
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
4
>>
Fire
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
5
>>
Fire Prevention
Actions:
•Proper fuel handling
•Bilge inspection
•Check fuel system
•Inspect wiring
Safety:
•Use only marine parts
•Cook in stable conditions
•Caution in storing charcoal
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
6
>>
Responding to Fire
Actions:
•First priority – people
•Get people upwind of fire
•Issue distress call
•Turn off fuel & power
More Actions:
•Evacuate boat if necessary
•Locate source of fire
•Access fire extinguishers
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
7
>>
Swamp or Capsize
Swamp – boat fills with water
Capsize – boat overturns
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
8
>>
Swamp or Capsize
Stay with the boat
Don’t swim for shore
In a river, float feet-first,
downstream
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
9
>>
Cold Water Immersion
Can kill before hypothermia
Gasp reflex when water under 50° F
Can cause cardiac arrest
Reduce hazard by:
• Attempt to block gasp reflex
• Type I or II PFD & automatic
inflation
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
10
>>
Hypothermia
Abnormal lowering of internal body
temperature by cold air or water
Symptoms
• Shivering, numbness, apathy
• Weakness, unconsciousness
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
11
>>
Hypothermia
Timing depends on water temperature
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
12
>>
Delay Hypothermia
Retain heat
Use PFD – remain inactive
H.E.L.P. position
Group huddle
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
13
>>
Hypothermia Care
Seek medical attention
Use CPR as necessary
Move to warm place
Warm victim slowly – not rapidly
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
14
>>
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Gas produced by burning fuels
Blocks oxygen in bloodstream
Symptoms
• Nausea, weakness
• Watering eyes, ears ring, red skin
• Light-headedness, headache
• Drowsiness, unconsciousness
• Death
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
15
>>
Carbon Monoxide Risk
Near exhaust – death in minutes
On swim platform – unconscious in minutes
Possible station wagon effect in cockpit
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
16
>>
Preventing Carbon Monoxide
Need free flow of air
thru boat
Keep clear of engine exhaust
Care running engines when stopped
Keep swimmers away from engines
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
17
>>
Preventing Carbon Monoxide
Don’t tow close to boat
• No “teak surfing”
Check exhaust systems for leaks
Beware other boats’ exhaust
Use CO alarms
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
18
>>
Carbon Monoxide Nearby
Pets are also susceptible to CO poisoning
•Caution for nearby boats running engines or
generator
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
19
>>
Carbon Monoxide Treatment
Victim must breathe fresh air
If breathing stopped – CPR
Get medical
attention
Watch for relapse
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
20
>>
Medical Emergencies
Take first aid & CPR classes
Keep good First Aid manual on board
Maintain first aid kit on board
Heat stress can cause injury
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
21
>>
Medical Emergencies
First aid kit – well stocked
• Dehydration
• Minor Injuries
• Heart attack
• Hypothermia
• Cardiac arrest
• Carbon monoxide
• Drowning
• Broken bones
• Heat Illness
• Cuts & gashes
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
22
>>
Medical Emergencies
May Need Help If …
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
23
>>
Medical Emergencies
May Need Help If …
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
24
END
Preventing Collision
Follow navigation rules
Take every action to prevent collision
Anticipate & avoid bad weather
Seek shelter in unfavorable conditions
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
25
>>
Reacting to Collision
Actions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Check for missing or injuries – both boats
Get PFDs on everyone
Check for fire
Radio for assistance
Don’t pull boats apart
Stay with the boat
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
26
>>
Preventing Grounding
Learn to use charts
Use a depth sounder
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
27
>>
Reacting to Grounding
Actions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get PFDs on everyone
Check for hull damage
If hung-up, do not move boat
If hull intact, shift weight to free
Sailboats – heel boat
Use dinghy to drop anchor, pull free
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
28
>>
Running Out of Fuel
Low fuel – reduce speed
No fuel – anchor out
of channel
1/3 Out
1/3
Reserve
1/3
Return
Call for assistance
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
29
>>
Towing
Towing can be
dangerous
Call for assistance, if
necessary
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
30
>>
Towing
Procedures:
• Strong tow lines
•Proper cleats
•Tow line danger
•Adjust length of line
•Slow & steady
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
31
>>
Restricted Visibility
Check weather forecast
Update weather from NOAA
on VHF
Observe clouds & squall
lines
Monitor temperature &
humidity changes
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
32
>>
Restricted Visibility
Reduce speed
Wear PFDs
Post lookout
Turn on navigation lights
Use sound signals
Listen … Listen … Listen
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
33
>>
Severe Weather
Check weather forecast
Update weather on VHF
Watch dark clouds & squall
lines
Monitor temperature &
humidity changes
Watch for strong winds
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
34
>>
Severe Weather
Wear PFDs
Close hatches
Dress properly
Seek shelter, if required
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
35
>>
Avoiding Heavy Seas
Check weather forecast
Anticipate – seek shelter
Avoid breaking waves
(maybe deeper water)
Beware of opposing wind
& current
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
36
>>
Crossing Large Waves
Cross at angle – not head-on
Angle should maintain steerage
Avoid traveling parallel to waves
Control speed on up & down slope
Same procedures for large wake
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
37
>>
Running Before Waves
Risk of pitch-pole
Set speed to stay on back side of wave
Watch wave
heights before
going over wave
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
38
>>
Running Parallel to Waves
Risk of broaching
Reverse direction
between crests
Never run parallel to
waves in an inlet
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
39 LAST
End Section 11
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
40
END