MILES RIVER SAIL & POWER SQUADRON (MRSPS)
SAFE BOATING PROGRAM FOR KIDS
2011 LESSON PLAN
SUGGESTED 2014 UPDATE
SESSION TOPIC: MAN OVER BOARD & KNOT TYING
OBJECTIVES: PERFORM EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO MOB USING CORRECT PROCEDURES & THROWING TECHNIQUE
KNOW SAFETY RULES FOR MOB RESCUE
KNOW RULES FOR MOB SELF RESCUE
TIME: CBMM – 35 MINUTES; EMS/YMCA – 28 MINUTES
LOCATION: ROOM: EMS – YMCA POOL 1; CBMM – C DOCK;
INSTRUCTORS: 4-6; SUGGEST ONE INSTRUCTOR IN WATER FOR THROWING DEMO (Y ONLY)
NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 10-12; DIVIDE GROUP INTO TWO – 1 AT KNOT TYING; 2 AT THROWING; THEN SWITCH. ALL
STUDENTS PUT ON LIFE JACKETS. INSTRUCTORS CHECK EACH FOR PROPER FIT.
EQUIPMENT: 2 RING BUOYS; 2 THROW BAGS; 1 CUSHION; 4 DIVING BRICKS; 4 GALLON JUGS (TARGETS); 12 LIFE
JACKETS PLUS ALL INSTRUCTORS BRING OWN PFD; POSTER DESCRIBING MOB PROCEDURES; SAFETY RULES; KNOT
TYING EQUIPMENT: 6 FOOT LINES; POSTS & CLEATS FOR PRACTICE; TABLE
CONTENT
NEED TO KNOW FOR SAFETY
EMERGENCY SKILLS /TYPES OF RESCUE FOR MOB
RESPONSE:
*REACH-ARM, LEG, TOWEL, POLE
*ROW- USE OARS IF AVAILABLE
MOB
*THROW-CUSHION, COOLER, THROW
BAG, RING BUOY
*GO- NOTE: DO NOT GO INTO THE
WATER TO MAKE RESCUE UNLESS
TRAINED TO DO SO
EQUIPMENT TO BE USED FOR A
THROWING RESCUE
 THROW BAG – USEFUL IN
KAYAKS, CANOES OR ROW
BOAT
 RING BUOY – LARGER BOAT;
DOCK
PRACTICE DRILL
CREATE EMERGENCY
SITUATION/ACCIDENT BY
TELLING A STORY AND HAVING
STUDENTS RESPOND BY
FOLLOWING THE PREDETERMINED PLAN:
All students read each poster on arrival
at each station
Throw bag: instructor demo…throw
and reload;
Ring Buoy: instructor demo…throw
and recoil line;
ORGANIZE STUDENTS INTO
RESCUE TEAM:
1-CALL MOB AND POINT TO SPOT
VICTIM
2-RESCUER THROW RING BUOY
REFERENCE
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
MOB PLAN POSTER
WATER SMART
FROM THE START
BOATING SAFETY
FOR KIDS
MOB Posters
MOB Safety rules
MOB
PAGE 2
HAVE A PLAN AND PRACTICE IT.
WHY?
1. HAVE TO RESCUE YOURSELF
2. SO YOU DON’T DO SOMETHING TO
MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE –
MAKE GOOD DECISIONS – SAFETY
RULES (POSTER).
3. HELP TO RESCUE SOMEONE ELSE
(POSTER).
* OBSERVER: CALL OUT “MAN
OVER BOARD” AND POINTS TO
VICTIM WHILE KEEPING AN
EYE ON VICTIM
*
*
*
THROWER: THROWS
FLOATATION DEVICE TO
BEYOND VICTIM
IF RING BUOY DOES NOT GO
BEYOND THE VICTIM PULL
BACK IN, MAKING SURE NOT
TO TANGLE THE LINE, AND
THROW AGAIN
IF RING BUOY REACHES
TARGET BEYOND VICTIM PULL
IT TO THE VICTIM, PAUSE TO
LET VICTIM GRASP IT AND
THEN PULL IT IN TO THE DOCK
AND REACH DOWN TO GRASP
RING OVER TOP OF THE RING
AS YOU WOULD THE TOP OF
THE VICTIMS WRIST
3- HELMSMAN
4-COACH: EVALUATE
PERFORMANCES
Practice arm signal indicating help
needed
Practice proper coiling of the line
Practice with each type of equipment
Each student in the group should be
assigned to a task and take a turn at
each task at each station:
Ring buoy: short throw for accuracy;
Ring buoy: long throw w/accuracy;
Cushion: instructor demo
Safety rules
Throwing techniques:
* Coil and secure bitter end of the
line; (STEP ON IT OR WRAP
IT AROUD YOUR HAND –
HOLD ON TO THE BITTER
END.
* Hold coil in open hand to allow
line to follow buoy, cushion or
bag
* Pendulum swing or side arm if
over the rail of a boat;
* Aim beyond victim
* Pull line to victim;
* Pull victim to side of boat;
* Reach to grasp victim on the
back of the wrist;
* Help victim aboard over the
stern
*
HELMSMAN: STEER BOAT TO
RETRIEVE VICTIM APPROACH
VICTIM INTO THE WIND; CUT
ENGINE BEFORE ATTEMPTING
TO BRING VICTIM ABOARD
*
COACH: ASSESS ACTIONS
4. EFFECT OF WIND ON THROWN
OBJECT (POSTER)
5. RULES OF MOB SELF RESCUE
(POSTER)
* DON’T PANIC
* CALL FOR HELP
* GO TO THE BOAT
* STAY WITH THE BOAT
6. OTHER RULES
* DON’T GET INTO THE WATER
TO HELP SOMEONE
* THROW ANYTHING THAT
FLOATS
* HOW FAR CAN YOU THROW?
* NEED TO TAKE COURSES TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFE
BOATING
Discuss effect of wind on thrown object
Boat Smart, pgs. 20-21;
USPS
KNOT TYING
DEMO/
EXPLAIN
Cleat hitch
Clove hitch
Square knot
Half hitch
Bowline (time
permitting)
A good knot is practical, holds well without
slipping, is easy to tie and untie.
Cleat Hitch: Used to secure a line to a cleat
on the boat or pier. Reliable and stable,
easy to untie.
Demonstrate knot.
Students practice each knot
Clove Hitch: A simple all purpose knot that
is easy to tie and untie, but not as secure as
many.
Half Hitch: Seldom used alone, but two half
hitches will secure most objects.
Square Knot: An easy to tie knot, but not
very secure and can untie itself.
Bowline: One of the most useful knots, very
secure and will untie easily,
2014 UPDATE
WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO
PRACTICE? SUGGEST CLEAT
HITCH; OTHERS IF TIME
SUGGEST POSTERS:
EACH KNOT;
ANCHORING