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Safety Gear for Long Trips

Communications

Carry communications gear, marine VHF-FM and/or HF transceiver(s), appropriate to your operating area. Cellular phones coverage is available in many coastal areas. HOWEVER, cellular phones should not be considered a subsitute for VHF-FM marine band radios for emergency purposes.

Satellite EPIRBs

Satellite EPIRBs (406 MHz) are designed to quickly and reliably alert rescue forces, indicate an accurate distress position, and guide rescue units to the distress scene, even when all other communications fail.

The Satellite EPIRBs, operate as part of a worldwide distress system. An international satellite constellation maintains a vigilant, global "listening" watch for satellite EPIRB distress signals. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates satellites, ground stations, and an alert distribution system serving the U.S. and a wide segment of the international community.

When activated, the satellite EPIRB transmits a distress signal with a beacon-unique identifying code. The system detects the signal, calculates an accurate distress position, checks the unique identifying code against the EPIRB registration database (vessel and point of contact information supplied by the owner) and routes the distress alert with registration information to the responsible U.S. Coast Guard (or international) Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). 406 MHz EPIRBs with GPS (internal or attached) also provide an immediate GPS position in the information passed to the RCC.

Geostationary satellites make detection almost immediate. If the EPIRB does not have the ability to provide a GPS position, the process to determine a position takes about an hour on average and almost always less than two hours.

Satellite EPIRBs also include a homing beacon and strobe to help rescue forces quickly locate the distress scene.

Satellite beacons have significant coverage, alerting timeliness, position accuracy, and signaling advantages over other types of EPIRBs (121.5 MHz). Before purchasing or using an other-than-406MHz EPIRB, be sure you understand its capabilities and limitations.

Mount the EPIRB to float free according to the manufacturer's instructions, if possible. Otherwise, make sure it is readily accessible. Register the EPIRB with NOAA, according to the instructions provided with the beacon. Registration is mandatory, improves response and reduces false alarms.

Inflatable Life Rafts

An inflatable life raft can provide a survival platform for an extended period of time. Make sure the life raft is large enough for everyone on board when the boat operates offshore. It should have the appropriate emergency equipment pack, and should be professionally serviced periodically, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Coast Guard approved life rafts must meet a number of stringent material and performance standards.

Immersion Suits

Immersion suits will delay the effects of hypothermia in cold water. They should be stored and maintained according to the manufacture's instructions.

Staying Afloat

It is common belief that someone dressed in heavy clothing or waders will sink immediately if they fall overboard. This is not true. Air trapped in clothing provides considerable flotation, and bending the knees will trap air in waders, providing additional flotation. To stay afloat follow these rules:

Remain calm, do not thrash about or try to remove clothing or footwear. This leads to exhaustion and increases the loss of air that keeps you afloat.
Keep your PFD on.
Keep your knees bent.
Float on your back and paddle slowly to safety.

Cold Water Survival

Sudden immersion in cold water can induce rapid, uncontrolled breathing, cardiac arrest, and other physical body conditions which can result in drowning. Always wearing a PFD will help you survive in rapid immersion situations. In other situations where you must enter the water, here are a few things to follow:

Wear a PFD.
Button up your clothing.
Cover your head if possible and enter the water slowly.
Keep your head out of the water if at all possible.
Assume the H.E.L.P. position.

Hypothermia

Immersion in water speeds the loss of body heat and can lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia is the abnormal lowering of internal body temperature. If your boat capsizes it will likely float on or just below the surface. Outboard powered vessels built after 1978 are designed to support you even if full of water or capsized. To reduce the effects of hypothermia get in or on the boat. Try to get as much of your body out of the water as possible. If you can't get in the boat a PFD will enable you to keep your head out of the water. This is very important because about 50% of body heat loss is from the head.

It may be possible to revive a drowing victim who has been under water for considerable time and shows no signs of life. Numerous documented cases exist where victims have been reuscitated with no apparent harmful effects after long immersions. Start CPR immediately and get the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible.

The Danger Zone indicates where safety precautions and appropriate behavior (adopting H.E.L.P) can increase your chances of survival when immersed in cold water.

Boating How Tos | Boating Safety

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Boating Tips - Safety Gear for Long Trips