Look after yourself and your crew
The best piece of safety kit you have is you. Keep a clear head so you can react to any situation.
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Look after you
Keeping warm and dry is important. Once you start to get
cold your ability to think and function properly will deteriorate.
Wear clothes made from man-made fabrics rather than cotton which soaks up body moisture and makes you cold. Always take spare clothing with you so you can add layers if necessary as well as a waterproof jacket and trousers, and a hat.
Conversely in hot weather remember your sun cream and hat
and keep yourself hydrated.
Alcohol and boating don’t mix
Alcohol
will impair your coordination and your ability to think clearly, particularly
in an emergency situation. It influences your behaviour and affects your judgement.
The RYA does not condone the drinking of alcohol whilst in charge of a vessel and encourages all boaters to act responsibly in this regard.
Care should also be taken when at anchor, transferring to and from a tender or when walking to and from a boat along a pontoon.
Lifejacket or buoyancy aid
Make
sure you and your crew have the right personal safety equipment, that they are
well maintained and fitted correctly. More information on lifejackets and buoyancy aids.
Wear your kill cord
If
you are on an open powerboat or RIB make sure you wear the kill cord. If
your boat is not fitted with one then get one fitted. The kill cord should be
attached around your leg. Always check your kill cord works before you go out
on the water. Watch how to attach a kill cord correctly and read more
about kill cords and powerboating safety.
Carbon Monoxide
Often dubbed the ‘Silent Killer’, Carbon Monoxide can kill quickly if inhaled in high concentrations. Check your on-board appliances are safe. If you don’t have a CO alarm, install one and test it regularly. More information on carbon monoxide.
Fire
If
a fire does occur, it is imperative that you have sufficient firefighting
equipment to hand and that you know how to use it, if the fire is to be
extinguished quickly and effectively. Read more about fire fighting equipment.
First aid
It’s
a good idea to have two well-stocked first aid kits on-board; one for day-to-day
use and one for incidents. Know how to use it and keep the contents up to date.
More information on first aid.
Cold water shock can kill
Cold
water shock occurs well before the effects of hypothermia and so it is far
deadlier. It can cause a number of instant and powerful involuntary respiratory
reflexes that can lead to death in minutes. It can happen at any time of the
year; it only takes a water temperature of 15°C and below. Read more about cold water shock.
Safety briefing for your crew
A skipper
should ensure that everyone on board knows where the safety equipment is stowed
and how to use it. Talk them through your plan as well as your contingency
plans should something go wrong. Other aspects are: check that they know how to
start the engine, how to send a Mayday and to make them aware of any on board
hazards.
Contact UsArticle Published: November 28, 2013 13:37
Article Updated: November 06, 2014 15:25
See Also
More information about RYA training courses