-
Step 1
Be prepared! Do not assume that your boat is equipped with all the necessary supplies to weather a boat capsizing. If you frequently go boating in any large body of water consider having a water tight emergency shoulder bag. Include basic items such as a flashlight with extra batteries, a portable water jug, a compact GPS tracking unit, a compass, a blanket, a cell phone, hand-held flares and small packets of food. Obviously there are many other useful items which can be considered based on the amount of room in your emergency bag.
-
Step 2
Make sure that you notify reliable individuals on shore of your travel itinerary and the time frame involved. This will at least insure rescue teams have a general idea of where to search for your capsized boat.
-
Step 3
Always wear a life jacket regardless of the trip duration. Make sure the fit is comfortable. There is nothing cool about the life jacket-less look unless you relish drowning.
-
Step 4
If your boat capsizes try to stay with the boat. If your boat is large enough then you may be fortunate enough to have access to an emergency life raft with a protective canopy. If not then at least try to get out of the water and on to the hull of your capsized boat. It does not matter how tropical the water is - hypothermia or a drop in core body temperature is the most likely factor to kill you. If your emergency bag has a change of clothing now would be the time to change.
-
Step 5
Stay well hydrated. Fortunately you have water stashed in your emergency bag. Perhaps a prepared fellow boater brought in their bag a hand-held water maker. Make sure you do not drink seawater. If you had several minutes before your boat capsized make sure you throw into your life raft all the food rations and water possible. Remember the other most likely cause of your demise is dehydration not starvation. Try to stay hydrated by remaining under some shading even if it is as modest as a hat or long sleeve shirt. Conserve your water but make sure you consume at least a half-gallon daily.
-
Step 6
If your cell phone is functional try to call for help.
-
Step 7
If you see a plane or another boat pull out your trusty flares and fire up to get their attention. Do not burn yourself. If you do not have flares try to improvise by reflecting sun off a compact makeup mirror.
-
Step 8
If you are positive that land is near then try to paddle towards it; however, it is usually best to conserve your energy and hope that your reliable friends on shore have notified authorities that you are missing.
-
Step 9
Nobody ever envisions a pleasant boating trip spiraling into a struggle for survival but it can happen. A little planning and common sense will go a long way in allowing you to survive this nightmare scenario to boat another day.
