Contributing Writer Tom Dawson
Writer / Instructor
In part one of this series, we discussed how to summon help if you need it. Since you are the first responder you will need to be ready to handle the situation. Some of the essentials you need to have on board are required on most vessels. However, there are other items that are optional. We will start with the required items.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
PFDs, also called lifejackets, are required for everyone onboard your boat. The best lifejacket is the one you wear. As a safe boating advocate, I tend to bring my own lifejacket when riding other people’s boats. When ask why I am wearing a lifejacket the answer is simple. It is not that I don’t trust other boat operators however, if I ended up in the water without one on, I would never hear the end of it.
Where you boat will determine the type of jacket that is best for that environment. In Florida an inflatable makes the most sense for everyday wear. However up north on the Great Lakes in the spring and fall it’s probably not the best choice.
The Coast Guard has a handy pamphlet to help you find one right for you. How to Choose the Right Life Jacket is free to download on at USCG Boating website.
Throwable Floatation Devices
Another required item on most boats is a throwable device. It could be a cushion, ring, or horseshoe buoy. These items really have one main purpose. They should be deployed as soon as a person falls overboard, they mark the spot the person went in at. Having more than one throwable aboard is recommended as the second device with a line attached can be tossed to the person in the water to help get them back on board.
For details on the Federal requirements for PFD and Throwable Devices, at USCG Boating website download a copy of, A Boater’s Guide To The Federal Requirements For Recreational Boats.
First Aid Kit
The third required item is a first aid kit. Like PFDs the type of kit you have on board will depend on where you boat. Theses kits come in all sizes the key is getting one that has all the supplies vacuumed packed so they stay fresh. First aid supplies stored in a plastic container will get moldy pretty quickly in a marine environment. It also helps if the kit comes with some instructions. These can come in handy when you are under stress and need to treat a wound you haven’t delt with before.
Not required but go to have onboard is sunscreen and sunburn lotions. Having these items on board means you won’t forget to pack them and they will be on board when you need them.
Water
Bottled water comes in handy when you need rinsing out a wound. I am not saying our waterways are too polluted but why risk an infection.
And yes, water is not just cleaning a wound, it is the only beverage that keeps you from getting dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to heat stress, which can lead to heat stroke. Neither of those conditions is pleasant and both can be avoided by staying hydrated.
Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol as they are diuretics and contribute to dehydration by making you lose water. So, consider leaving those at home and enjoy them when you get back to your dock.
Specialty Medical Items
Here is where your personal needs and those of your passengers should not be overlooked. If there are special medications that you need in an emergency it is good to have them on board. This could be as simple something like antacids or aspirin. However, it might also include medicine for allergies, seizures or to treat anaphylactic shock.
Speaking of shock, knowing the symptoms a person exhibits when in shock and how to treat them can be critical during an emergency. Stabilizing a person in shock and treating the underlying cause is critical. Taking a basic first aid course is important for you and your first mate, as the person who needs treatment might be you.
A First Mate
No matter what the emergency is it is always best to have someone aboard who knows how to operate your boat, your communication gear and help treat any medical emergencies. Over the years I have met many couples where only one of them knew how to operate the boat. I would ask them what they would do in an emergency and it made them realize they both should really be able to summon help and know how get the boat back to the dock if needed.
If you would like to learn more about lifesaving essentials consider taking a basic boating course. If you live in Florida the Florida Fish and Wildlife has list of approved courses on their website. America’s Boating Club offers a several seminars to consider, Emergencies on Board, Crew at the Helm, and Man Overboard. The American Red Cross also offers a variety of classes worth considering including basic first aid and CPR.
In the next installment we will look at the tools and spare parts you might need if something goes wrong with your boat.
Stay safe on the water!
Links in the article:
https://www.uscgboating.org/images/howtochoosetherightlifejacket_brochure.pdf
https://myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/courses/
https://americasboatingclub.org/index.php/seminars/boat-handling/emergencies-on-board
https://americasboatingclub.org/index.php/seminars/safety/crew-at-the-helm
https://americasboatingclub.org/index.php/seminars/safety/man-overboard
https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class
https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Boating-Southwest-Florida-Waterways/dp/B0D2L7RWBX
https://www.amazon.com/Barret-Bondens-Local-Knowledge-Recommended/dp/B0DCJYC18B
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thomas-E.-Dawson/author/B092T2173B
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Thomas E. Dawson
Cape Coral, Florida
Thomas E. Dawson is a member of the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron. If you plan of visiting Lee County, Florida, Dawson is the author of two books about boating there, Safe Boating in Southwest Florida Cape Coral Edition and Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended - Things You Wish Someone Had Told You About Boating Here! Both books are available on Amazon.
