Stay Calm, Swim Safe: Capsized Boat Survival Guide

Capsizing is one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in recreational boat accidents. When a boat capsizes, it rolls onto its side or turns upside down, throwing everyone and everything on board into the water. This can happen due to rough weather, waves, imbalanced weight distribution, overloading, or structural instability. If you find yourself in this situation, staying calm and taking swift action can ensure your safety and that of your fellow passengers. Here are some crucial steps to follow if you find yourself in a small open boat that has capsized.

Stay with the boat

If your small open boat capsizes, staying with the boat is crucial for your safety and survival. Here are some detailed instructions to follow in such a situation:

• Staying with the boat is safer than swimming to shore: It's important to understand that a capsized boat provides something to hold onto, helping you stay afloat and avoid drowning while waiting for help. The boat is also more visible to rescuers than a person swimming in the water.
• Climb onto the overturned hull: If possible, climb onto the overturned hull of the boat. This will make you more noticeable to search and rescue parties and reduce the risk of hypothermia by keeping your body out of the water.
• Stay close to the boat: Unless it's necessary for your safety, avoid swimming away from the capsized boat. Staying in its vicinity increases your chances of being spotted by rescuers. If you must move away, leave a marker or flotation device to help identify the boat's location.
• Use the boat for buoyancy: A capsized boat can provide additional buoyancy, especially if it's still floating. Hold onto the boat to conserve your energy and prolong your survival time.
• Use the boat as a signalling platform: If you have access to flares or other signalling devices, use the boat as a platform to send up flares or create a signal fire on the shore if it's within reach.
• Visual tracking of the boat: Keep a constant eye on your boat and use nearby landmarks, such as buildings, trees, or buoys, to help gauge its direction and speed of movement. This will help you stay close to it and increase your chances of being spotted by rescuers.
• Stay with the group: If there are multiple people in the water, it's important to stay together. Make sure everyone is accounted for and keep them close to the boat. Staying together provides mutual support and helps conserve body warmth.
• Use the HELP position in open water: If you're stranded in open water, protect yourself from hypothermia by assuming the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (H.E.L.P.). Cross your arms and legs and tuck in while floating to retain body heat and extend your survival time.
• Conserve your energy: Minimise unnecessary movements and avoid swimming or treading water. Stay hydrated, but be cautious about drinking seawater as it can dehydrate you further. Ration any food or water supplies if you have access to them.
• Use the boat for shelter: If possible, use the capsized boat as a form of shelter to protect yourself from the elements and maintain your body temperature.

Signal for help

If your boat capsizes, it is crucial to call for help as soon as possible. Signalling for help can be done in a variety of ways, depending on your location and the equipment available to you. Here are some ways to signal for help:

• Use flares — Flares are one of the most effective ways to attract attention, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions. Carry them in a waterproof container and follow safety procedures when using them.
• Whistle — A loud whistle can carry over long distances and can be heard by nearby boats or search and rescue teams. Attach the whistle to your life jacket or keep it within easy reach.
• Radio — If you have a marine radio or emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), use them to transmit a distress signal. These devices can send your location and alert authorities.
• Visual signals — If you are near the shore, you can create a signal fire on the land. Alternatively, wave brightly coloured objects to attract attention.
• Audible signals — If you have a bell on your boat, ring it to notify others of the issue.
• Reflective surfaces — If you have a mirror or any reflective surface, use it to reflect sunlight in a sweeping motion towards nearby vessels or aircraft.
• Horn — If available, sound the boat's horn to alert nearby vessels of your distress.
• Call for help — If you have access to a phone, call for help immediately.

Remember to conserve your energy while signalling for help and wait for assistance to arrive.

Conserve energy

If you find yourself in a situation where your boat capsizes, it is important to take swift action to ensure your safety and conserve energy. Here are some detailed instructions to follow:

• If you are not already wearing a life jacket, put one on immediately. Life jackets provide buoyancy and support, helping you stay afloat and conserve energy. Ensure the life jacket is securely fastened and snug but not constricting.
• Stay with the boat: Do not attempt to swim to shore. The boat provides floating support and makes you more visible to potential rescuers. Climbing onto the overturned hull can further increase your visibility and reduce the risk of hypothermia.
• Conserve your energy by floating without excessive movement. Avoid unnecessary swimming or treading water, as these activities use significant amounts of energy and can lead to a quicker loss of body heat.
• If possible, find a floating object to hold onto or climb onto. This will help you stay afloat and rest your body, conserving energy for when help arrives.
• If you are with a group, stay together and huddle close to share body warmth and provide mutual support. Staying together also makes it easier for rescuers to spot you.
• If you have access to freshwater or emergency rations, ration them carefully. Avoid drinking seawater as it can lead to further dehydration.
• If you have a whistle, use it to alert nearby vessels or search and rescue teams of your distress. A loud whistle can carry over long distances and be heard by potential rescuers.
• If you have an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or a marine radio, use them to transmit a distress signal. These devices can provide your location and increase the chances of a timely rescue.
• If possible, use flares to signal for help, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions. Flares are one of the most effective ways to attract attention. Be sure to follow safety procedures and keep flares in a waterproof container.
• If you are stranded on a beach or shoreline, build a signal fire to attract attention. Choose a location that is visible and use dry materials to create a large, smoky fire.
• If you have access to a compass, GPS, or other navigation tools, use them to keep track of your boat's location and direction of movement. This is important as losing sight of your vessel can decrease your chances of recovery.
• Stay calm and avoid panicking. Panicking can lead to poor decisions and exhaustion, increasing the risk of drowning. Conserve your energy and mental resources by focusing on your breathing and reminding yourself that help is on the way or that you can reach safety.

Keep everyone together

If your boat capsizes, it is crucial to keep everyone together. Here are some steps to take to ensure that everyone stays together until help arrives:

Account for Everyone

First, make sure that everyone is accounted for. Do a head count to ensure that all passengers are out of the water and safe. If someone is missing, they could be trapped under the boat or struggling to stay afloat.

Stay Together

Once everyone is accounted for, it is important to keep the group together. Do not separate or send someone to swim for help. Staying together provides safety and support, and it is easier for rescuers to spot a group of people together than individuals floating alone.

Stay with the Boat

If the boat is still floating, it is generally safer to stay with it. The capsized boat provides something to hold onto, aiding those who may be struggling to stay afloat. It also provides additional buoyancy and makes the group more visible to rescuers. Try to climb onto the overturned hull to make yourself more noticeable for search and rescue parties.

Use the HELP Position

If you are stranded in open water, you can protect yourself and others from hypothermia by assuming the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP). Cross your arms and legs and tuck in while floating to retain body heat and extend survival time. This technique also helps to keep the group together.

Conserve Energy

Minimize unnecessary movement to conserve energy and body heat. Avoid swimming or treading water, and try to find something to hold onto or climb onto. If multiple people are in the water, huddle together to share body warmth and provide mutual support.

Stay Visible

Make yourselves as visible as possible to increase the chances of being spotted and rescued. If you have access to flares or a whistle, use them to signal for help. If possible, climb onto the overturned hull or any floating debris to increase your visibility.

Find flotation devices

If you find yourself in a situation where your boat capsizes, staying calm and taking swift action can ensure your safety and that of your fellow passengers. Here are some detailed instructions on finding and using flotation devices:

• Wear a life jacket: This is the most effective way to stay afloat and is required by law. If you aren't already wearing one, put on your life vest, ensuring it's snug but not constricting. If you are unable to wear it, hold on to it for buoyancy and support.
• Use other flotation devices: If life jackets are unavailable or inaccessible, improvise with any available flotation devices, such as cushions, coolers, or even empty beverage containers secured together.
• Stay with the boat: Capsized boats are built to stay afloat even if they've taken on water. Staying with the boat provides additional buoyancy and makes you more visible to rescuers. Try to climb onto the overturned hull to make yourself more noticeable for search and rescue parties.
• Use the HELP position for open water: If you are stranded in open water, you can protect yourself from hypothermia by assuming the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (H.E.L.P.). Cross your arms and legs and tuck in while floating to retain body heat and extend your survival time.
• Treading water and dead man's float: If no flotation devices are available, employ techniques like treading water or the dead man's float to conserve energy while awaiting rescue. Treading water involves a vertical position with a scissor-like leg motion and cupped hand movements. The dead man's float allows you to float face-down while intermittently lifting your head to breathe, reducing energy expenditure.
• Stay together: If multiple people are in the water, huddle together to share body warmth and provide mutual support. This also ensures that no one is missing or left behind.
• Use available objects: If you have capsized and are unable to upright your boat, anyone not wearing a life jacket should use any available objects like ice chests or empty soda bottles to help them stay afloat.

Remember, staying afloat is the top priority until rescue arrives or an opportunity to reach safety presents itself.

Frequently asked questions