How to Rescue a Man Overboard
Crew cooperation and coordination are key to rescuing someone who has fallen off a boat.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Boating Safety Classes
- Boating Safety Guides
- Boat Hook
- Life Jackets
- Life Preservers
- Ropes
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1
Yell "Man overboard!" immediately to alert other crew members that someone has fallen.
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2
Throw the swimmer a life preserver, tossing it underhand, which will make it go farther.
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3
Stop the boat, check your headings and turn the boat around 180 degrees from your original heading.
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4
Select one person to keep the swimmer in sight at all times; if you're steering the boat, make sure another crew member is keeping watch. If the swimmer disappears from sight, radio or call for help.
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5
Approach the swimmer so that he or she is upwind of the boat. Position the boat into the wind to allow for better steering control.
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6
Tie a rope in a loop and fasten it to a secure railing, or have a crew member hold onto one end if there isn't time.
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7
Throw the rope to the swimmer when the boat is close enough, and have the victim position the loop under his or her armpits.
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8
Pull the swimmer to the side of the boat, and work with other crew members to heft the swimmer up.
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9
Send a rescuer into the water only as a last resort, making sure the rescuer is wearing a flotation device and, if possible, secured to the boat by a line.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If the victim is unconscious or having difficulty, steer the boat as close to the victim as possible, reach down and position a boat hook under his or her armpits, and pull up.
The U.S. Coast Guard offers boating safety classes, which include man overboard survival tips. Contact 1-800-368-5647 for details.
Practice this save frequently. Rehearsing the situation with the entire crew can make all the difference in a rescue.
Backing up a boat in a rescue instead of turning it around could injure the swimmer.
Avoid pulling the swimmer aboard at the back end of the boat, which slams into the water and could injure the swimmer.
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Comments
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Sep 15, 2006
If the casualty has been in the water for a few minutes, if possible, try to recover in horizontal position and keep the casualty on the deck in this position to give them a better chance of survival. Wrap them in a blanket to keep warm and give them a warm drink (not alcohol) till they start to revive or rescue assistance arrives.
