Although boating is a popular recreational activity, safety concerns are often overlooked.
To ensure safe boating, it is crucial to understand and adhere to basic precautions and self-rescue principles.
Before boarding, it is essential to assess the safety of the boat. Avoid boarding unlicensed vessels or makeshift boats that carry both passengers and cargo. Additionally, avoid embarking on ferries or small boats during adverse weather conditions such as strong winds and heavy rains.
Onboard, whether traveling as a group or individually, follow the crew's instructions. When boarding or disembarking, form an orderly line and avoid rushing. Running or playing on the deck can lead to accidents such as falling overboard, squeezing, or even capsizing the boat.
Boats float on water due to buoyancy, and each vessel has a specific weight limit it can safely carry. Overloading a boat increases the risk of sinking. Therefore, be cautious when boarding and ensure that the boat is not overloaded.
Particularly when the boat is approaching the dock or navigating through scenic areas, passengers should avoid congregating on one side to prevent the boat from tilting and potentially capsizing. In emergencies, always follow the crew's instructions and refrain from jumping off the boat without proper authorization.
Once aboard, familiarize yourself with the nearest exit to the deck and the location of life jackets. This knowledge will be crucial in the event of an accident, allowing for a quicker response. Maintain a quiet demeanor on the boat, listen carefully to the crew's instructions, and avoid creating noise.
Travelers on intermodal routes should complete transfer procedures at the designated ports, stations, and terminals on time to prevent missing connections. Families with children should ensure that kids are accompanied by adults and hold onto handrails to prevent accidental falls into the water.
Onboard equipment plays a vital role in ensuring the ship's safety, especially life-saving and fire-fighting gear. The locations for storing this equipment are strictly regulated and should not be altered.
In the event of capsizing, the cabin may fill with water, posing significant risks to trapped passengers. In some instances, if air remains in parts of the cabin not fully submerged, it creates what is known as an "air pocket."
The air in these pockets can provide crucial breathing space for trapped individuals, increasing their chances of survival. Rescuers can identify these air pockets by knocking on the hull and using other techniques to locate survivors.
Although air pockets offer a glimmer of hope during a capsizing accident, pinpointing their location is challenging. Divers may connect an air compressor to the air pocket to supply oxygen to survivors and help stabilize the hull.
However, the process of injecting air must be precise to avoid causing the hull to shift or create additional dangers. Randomly cutting the hull is also inadvisable, as it may put survivors at greater risk.
The "golden rescue time" for a shipwreck is generally considered to be 72 hours. However, this timeframe is shorter for those trapped underwater. Prolonged water immersion rapidly depletes body heat, and being in a confined space increases psychological stress.
After a shipwreck, it is crucial to remain patient while waiting for rescue and to actively engage in self-rescue efforts.
If the boat capsizes, remain calm amidst the wind and waves. Do not stand up or lean to one side of the boat; instead, stay seated in the cabin to maintain balance. If water enters the boat, work to bail it out. If the boat overturns, grab the side and attempt to climb onto the bottom of the overturned vessel.
When far from shore, waiting for rescue is the safest option. While fiberglass-reinforced plastic boats can sink after capsizing, they may remain afloat if there is enough air in the cabin. In such cases, strive to keep the boat balanced to prevent air loss and hold onto the overturned vessel while awaiting rescue.
For individuals who cannot swim and fall into the water, taking a deep breath before sinking is critical. Stay calm, keep your lips closed, and hold your head up to float to the surface.
Once you are afloat, keep your hands submerged to paddle and maintain your head above water for breathing. If possible, remove shoes and heavy clothing, find floating objects to cling to, and call for help from the shore. Paddle regularly and swim slowly towards the shore.
By understanding and applying these safety measures and self-rescue techniques, we can enhance our safety during boating activities and effectively respond to emergencies, thereby safeguarding ourselves and others.
