1. Lifesaving & Survival Boating Safety USF/MOCC Course Ben Meister
Introduce the topic
Boating Safety
USF/MOCC Course
Ben Meister

2. Purpose:
To minimize injury or prevent the loss of life, in the event of an emergency, an operator and crew must be proficient in rescue and survival techniques.
Preparation and training is key as often times things can go very bad very fast.
Introduction to talk topics.
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3. Most common cause of collisions is failure to post a lookout
Boating Accidents
Major Types:
Collision between vessels
Collisions with objects
Falls overboard
Capsizing
Most common cause of collisions is failure to post a lookout
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4. Most common cause Failure to keep proper lookout COLREGS RULE 5
Every vessel must maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing.

5. Accidents Most collisions could be avoided by:
Proper use of a “lookout”
Knowledge of “Rules of the Road”
Knowledge of proper boat lighting
Knowledge of “Aids to Navigation”

6. Hard aground vs soft aground
Boating Accidents
Running Aground
Hard aground vs soft aground
State this fact.
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7. Boating Accidents Actions to Take if Aground Remain calm; don’t panic
DO NOT reverse the engine
Assess damage
If no damage, can you move the boat without causing damage – go slowly
Call for professional assistance
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8. Boating Accidents Capsizing – Causes Don’t Overload your boat.
Watch weight distribution
Approach waves properly.
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9. What to do if You Capsize
Take a head count. Make sure all are accounted for.
Assist injured personnel.
Stay with vessel. Get out of the water.
Right the vessel (if possible).
Orient the boat bow into conditions.
Consider swimming if:
Wearing immersion suit
VERY close to place of safety
Present the points.
Note that righting a vessel takes practice.
Note that the first point is a rule of thumb, and there may be circumstances that make it smarter to get to shore.
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10. How to Avoid Capsizing
If waves are present, approach bow first, quarter into/away from them if extreme

11. Boating Accidents Man-Over-Board (MOB) Don’t lose sight of victim
Continually communicate with the victim and crew
Turn the boat. Approach at a controlled speed (bare steerage) from down weather.
Use “Talk, Reach, Throw, Row, Go” crew priority to recover victim.
Present these points.
Give explanations of “why” for each one.
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12. Boating Accidents REMEMBER: Always keep a lookout
Priorities – Self, partner, victim
Don’t give up on a drowned person
Use “Talk, Reach, Throw, Row, Go” to keep crew safe when recovering a victim.
Present these points.
Give explanations of “why” for each one.
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13. Self Rescue Chin up bounce Ladder Leg over gunwale Stirrup
Cavitation Plate

14. Victim Rescue Characteristics of a person in Distress :
Can waive or yell for help
May still be capable of self rescue

15. Victim Rescue Characteristics of a person Drowning :
Cannot speak, wave for help, or reach for a rescue device
Cannot help themselves
May have appearance of “playing” or splashing
Victim will probably attempt to climb onto you if you get too close to them

16. Victim Rescue Priorities in rescue situation : Self is most important
Partner(s) second most important
Victim third important

17. Victim Rescue
Rescue sequence (in order of increasing risk to rescuer):
Talk into self rescue
REACH
THROW
ROW (boat)
GO (in-water)

18. Rescue Rope in the Ready Position
Victim Rescue
Rescue Rope in the Ready Position
Must be in a ready access position
Made of polypro rope
Rescue bag is designed to be tossed underhand to the victim with the rescuer hanging onto the working end of the rope.

19. Victim Rescue Ring Buoy (Type IV) in Water Assist Rescuer wears a PFD
Rescuer slides the ring buoy to the victim
Rescuer must be a good swimmer with water rescue training
CAUTION: watch out for the panic victim!

20. Victim Rescue Unconscious Swimmer Assist With a Ring Buoy
Rescuer wears a PFD
Rescuer slides the ring buoy over the victims arm up to the shoulder
Rescuer must be a good swimmer with water rescue training
CAUTION: watch out for the panic victim!

21. Victim Rescue ladder stirrup retrieval strap bounce
Extraction from water :
Conscious victim -
ladder
stirrup
retrieval strap
bounce

22. Victim Rescue Roll aboard Retrieval strap Extraction from water :
Unconscious or injured victim -
Roll aboard
Retrieval strap

23. Accidents
Fatal vs Non-Fatal :
Most fatal accidents result from falls overboard or capsizing with the victim NOT wearing a PFD
Most non-fatal accidents result from collisions with other boats or objects

24. Boating Accidents Major Factors in Fatalities Drowning
Cold Water Shock
Hypothermia
State this fact.
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25. Fatal Boating Accidents
Most result from the boat capsizing or the victim falling overboard without a PFD
State this fact.
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26. Boating Accidents Drowning Facts:
Most victims are within 10 feet from safety
Cold water shock & Hypothermia can hasten the onset of drowning.
Never give up on a drowning victim.
Near drowning victims can experience secondary drowning.
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27. Never give up on a drowning victim.
Boating Accidents
Drowning Definitions:
Dry – little or no water enters the lungs.
Wet – aspiration of water into the lungs
Secondary – a person successfully revived but dies later due to complications.
Cold Water Drowning – a person who drowns in cold water (<20 C). There is a higher probability that a cold water drowning victim can be revived. A cold water drowning victim is not dead until he/she is warm and dead.
Never give up on a drowning victim.
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28. Drowning Care for drowning victim : Remove from water
Ensure “ABC’s” and initiate CPR
Prevent further heat loss
Handle gently
Obtain professional medical assistance

29. Boating Accidents Cold Water Shock
Physiological response that occurs upon immediately upon immersion in cold water.
The initial shock can place great strain on the body causing cardiac arrest.
Point out this fact.
You might ask the question: “are these guys properly protected for the conditions?” The answer is no.
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30. Boating Accidents Hypothermia
Can result in loss of dexterity, consciousness, and life.
Drowning can occur 25 times faster in cold water.
Understand the concept.
1 minute shock, loss of breath, cardiac arrest- COLD SHOCK
10 minutes loss of dexterity, fingers, arms, legs- COLD INCAPACITATION
1 hour-hypothermia, loss of consciousness-HPYOTHERMIA
is a simple way to remember the first three phases of cold water immersion and the approximate time each phase takes.
1 - Cold Shock. An initial deep and sudden Gasp followed by hyperventilation that can be as much as % greater than normal breathing. You must keep your airway clear or run the risk of drowning. Cold Shock will pass in about 1 minute. During that time concentrate on avoiding panic and getting control of your breathing. Wearing a lifejacket during this phase is critically important to keep you afloat and breathing.
10 - Cold Incapacitation. Over approximately the next 10 minutes you will lose the effective use of your fingers, arms and legs for any meaningful movement. Concentrate on self rescue initially, and if that isn’t possible, prepare to have a way to keep your airway clear to wait for rescue. Swim failure will occur within these critical minutes and if you are in the water without a lifejacket, drowning will likely occur.
1 - HYPOTHERMIA. Even in ice water it could take approximately 1 hour before becoming unconscious due to Hypothermia. If you understand the aspects of hypothermia, techniques of how to delay it, self rescue and calling for help, your chances of survival and rescue will be dramatically increased.
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31. Hypothermia Prevention
HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture)
HUDDLE

32. Hypothermia Degrees of Hypothermia :
Mild hypothermia – victim feels cold, has “shakes”, slurred speech
Moderate hypothermia – loss of muscle control, drowsiness, incoherent, exhaustion
Severe hypothermia – collapse, unconsciousness, respiratory distress, cardiac arrest

33. Hypothermia Hypothermia Chart :
Water less than 70 oF is considered cold water

34. Hypothermia Care for Hypothermia : Ensure ABC’s and temperature
Protect victim from cold
Remove wet clothing, wrap in dry clothing or blanket
Insulate from ground
Handle gently
Transport to medical facility
Beware of “afterdrop” as body begins to rewarm

35. Hypothermia share a sleeping bag with victim apply warm towels
Care for Hypothermia :
Do Not massage victim’s arms and legs
Re-establish body temperature gradually -
share a sleeping bag with victim
apply warm towels
wrap in blanket
place in warm bath (if conscious)

36. Federal Requirements for PFDs
All boats must have:
One Type I, II, III, or V for each person on board
Boats 16-ft or longer must also have:
One Type IV in addition to above
Cover the requirements. 36

37. PFD Inspection Conditions
Must be USCG Approved
Must be Good & Serviceable
Must be Readily Attainable
Must be worn in some circumstances
Designed functions can’t be altered
Cover the points.

38. Personal Flotation Devices Five types of PFDs
This is a transition slide to let the class know you’re switching topics.

39. Type I PFD Offshore Life Jacket Most buoyant of PFD’s (22 lbs.)
Effective in ALL waters, especially rough
Designed to turn most unconscious wearers face-up
Cover the points.

40. Type II PFD Near-shore Buoyancy Vest Intended for calm, inland water
Chance for quick rescue
Designed to turn some unconscious wearers face-up
15.5 lbs of buoyancy
Cover the points.

41. Type III PFD Flotation Aid Typically for calm, inland water
Chance for quick rescue
Wearers must turn themselves face-up
Can tilt head back to avoid face-down
15.5 lbs of buoyancy
Float coat, work/recreational vest
Cover the points.

42. Type IV PFD Throwable Device
Buoyant cushions, ring buoys, horseshoe buoys
Designed to be thrown to person in water
Must be grasped and held until rescue
Not designed to be worn
MUST BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE!
Cover the points.

43. Type V PFD Special-Use Device Intended for specific activities
May be worn instead of another PFD
Some provide hypothermia protection (e.g., immersion suit)
Must be worn to count as required pfd.
Cover the points

44. PFD Maintenance Do not kneel or sit on PFD Drip dry/air dry after use
Do not alter PFD
Do not kneel or sit on PFD
Drip dry/air dry after use
Store in well ventilated place away from direct sunlight
Do not expose to artificial heat source

45. Customize the PFD strobe/marker light signal mirror
whistle
strobe/marker light
signal mirror
rescue/emergency knife
slings
carabiners
sunscreen
flare
space blanket
snacks in sealed bag

46. Practical Performance
Pool Session:
Self/Victim Rescue
In-water survival
Throwables
Survival Equipment
MOB/Extraction
Ask for questions.
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47. When to File an Accident Report
US Coast Guard Form 3865 when:
More than $2000 in property damage
An injury causing incapacitation for more than 72 hours
Loss of life.
State Accident Reporting Requirements
Present the points.