Section 11: Adverse Conditions and Emergencies 117
• Immediately get the people off your boat
and as far away as possible in case of an
explosion. If a fi re occurs when operating
a PWC, stop the craft immediately,
leave the craft and swim as far away as
possible.
• Monitor the burned area for potential
re-ignition.
Swamping and Capsizing
Swamping occurs when your boat fi lls with
water. Capsizing occurs when your boat
overturns. According to the USCG capsizing
and falling overboard account for the majority
of boating fatalities. Always stay with the
boat if you swamp or capsize. (Table 11-2)
To reduce the risk of capsizing or
swamping:
• Don’t overload your boat. Balance the
load of all passengers and gear.
• In a small boat keep your weight low and
move on the center line of the boat
• Turn your vessel at controlled speeds.
• If anchoring, secure the anchor line to the
bow of the boat, never to the stern.
• Don’t boat in rough water or bad weather.
If you do capsize or swamp the boat, or if
you have fallen out and can’t get back in,
stay with the boat. A boat is easier to see
than a person in the water and therefore is
itself a distress sig nal easily seen by passing
vessels. Few peo ple have the strength and
endurance to swim more than a short dis-
P.A.S.S.
• Pull pin
• Aim at base of fi re
• Squeeze handle
• Sweep side to side
Table 11-2. What to Do if You Capsize
If you capsize:
1. Take a head count to make
sure all crew and passengers are
there and provide assistance if
needed.
2. Put on your PFD (if not
already wearing it).
3. If you have nothing to hold
on to and cannot find any floatation
material to keep you afloat,
improvise by using your clothing.
Your pants can serve this purpose—
simply remove them, tie
the leg ends together, pull the zipper
closed and trap air in the legs
by blowing or waving in the air,
then submerge the pants waist
first. As air escapes, blow more air
into the waist opening.
4. If signaling devices are available,
use them to attract attention.
Save at least one until you
actually see a potential rescuer. A
shiny object can also be used to
attract attention.
5. Attempt to maneuver to the
nearest shore or shallow water.
6. Remember “Reach, Throw,
Row, Go”. Do not leave the boat to
assist the person unless absolutely
necessary. If the victim needs further
assistance and someone must
go into the water, make sure they
have on a PFD and that they are
attached to the boat with a line.
7. If there is no other means
of support, then you may have
to tread water or simply float. In
cold water, float rather than tread
water to reduce hypothermia.
Figure 11-4 . Using a fi re extinguisher
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Reach, Throw,
Row & Go
• Reach – with your arms,
legs or a paddle to the
person overboard
• Throw – a cushion, life
ring, etc.
• Row – paddle or push
the boat toward the
person
• Go – as a last resort, go
get the person in the
water