RYA safety boat presentation Suggested methods for dealing with small craft in a sheltered environment

Guiding principles Count heads! Count heads! Ask if help is required, and if so, what. Ask if help is required, and if so, what. Recover and return students to shore if the situation is becoming serious. Recover and return students to shore if the situation is becoming serious. Leave the craft ‘tagged’ to let other crews know it has been dealt with. Leave the craft ‘tagged’ to let other crews know it has been dealt with. Don’t become another casualty yourself. Don’t become another casualty yourself.

Guiding principles If students are in the water near to your boat, turn the engine off. If students are in the water near to your boat, turn the engine off. Even if they are not, consider turning the engine off. Even if they are not, consider turning the engine off. Involve the casualties in their rescue. Involve the casualties in their rescue. Holding or raising the tip of the mast may be all that is required if sailors are tired. Holding or raising the tip of the mast may be all that is required if sailors are tired. Whilst dealing with a rescue, the rest of the fleet may be without cover. Remain alert for them. Whilst dealing with a rescue, the rest of the fleet may be without cover. Remain alert for them.

Kites Check to see if the sailor is OK, and if not apply the first principles. Check to see if the sailor is OK, and if not apply the first principles. Sailor will be dressed for immersion so….. Sailor will be dressed for immersion so…..

Begin the rescue at the kite end.

Deflate the leading edge bladder.

It may have a valve, so just taking the stopper out may not be sufficient.

Roll up the kite along the remaining inflated ribs.

Detach the strings.

It’s a larks foot knot.

Stow rolled up kite, wind lines onto something solid.

Take the whole lot home.