Things You'll Need:
- Life jacket
- Your hands
- Balance
- Headlamp with red lens
- Optional: deck or offshore harness with tether
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Step 1
Use one hand for you, one hand for the boat. A sailor's phrase, it's simple and easy to understand but surprisingly easy to forget while out on the water. You have to consciously remember to DO IT! While using one hand to perform whatever task is required, use the other to hold onto some part of the boat. There is a reason sailors learn to tie knots one handed.
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Step 2
Watch your liquor. It's a beautiful day, it's a beautiful boat, all is wonderful and drinks are flowing. Whether on shore or on a boat the same thing applies, more alcohol = less balance, reaction time and judgment. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol was the leading contributing factor in approximately one-fifth of all boating fatalities. Boat responsibly and refer to Step 1.
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Step 3
Plan your route from point A to point B. Where are you going? An easy way to go overboard is to trip over yourself, ropes or equipment. Before you walk anywhere, especially at night, in higher winds or heavier seas, plan your route from point A to point B, look for obstacles high and low and watch your step. Again, refer to Step 1.
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Step 4
Balancing on a roller coaster. When in heavy winds or heavy seas limit the amount of time you spend walking around on deck. One can not assume that balance and stability are the same as in calmer conditions. If you have to maneuver around on deck, try taking tiny steps or preferably shuffle your feet so that you spend the greatest amount of time with both feet on the deck. This suggestion will help increase your chance at maintaining balance. One must balance this with the requirement of stepping over ropes or equipment (Step 3). Step 1 is a must and don't forget the life jacket!
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Step 5
Use a red lens at night. One challenge at night is that you do not have clear vision on deck and it is difficult to anticipate the swells affecting the motion of the boat and ultimately your balance. Solution? Wear a headlamp with a red lens. Why a headlamp instead of a flashlight? A flashlight requires one of your hands which makes it very difficult to follow Step 1. Wearing a headlamp leaves you with one hand for you and one for the boat. Why a red lens? A standard white light constricts the pupil and temporarily eliminates your night vision, leaving you only able to see what is directly within the cone of light of the flashlight. Further, a white light will affect everyone else on deck in a similar manner resulting in a situation where no-one can see. A red lens or a red filter over a white lens allows you to see quite well with out harming your night vision. Thus one's peripheral vision is maintained which helps you keep your balance and not trip.
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Step 6
Lock down. Whether day or night, when facing heavy winds or seas, the most secure way to avoid getting swept overboard is to wear an upper body deck harness attached to a tether which is then attached to a secure place on the boat, perhaps a deck ring or a lifeline. If you are sailing alone, this step is a must. Solo sailors face the additional risk that if swept overboard, there is no one to come back for you. Don't let your boat sail away without you.
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Step 7
Discretion is the better part of valor. When conditions start to exceed one's ability or equipment, it's time to head for shore. Keep the safety of your passengers in the forefront.
