When your boat suddenly loses stability and flips over, it's always stressful. Cold water, heavy clothing and the unexpectedness of the moment can disorient even an experienced boater. It's in those first seconds that the decisive factor is not physical strength, but cold calculation and knowledge of a clear algorithm of actions.
The statistics of the GIMS is inexorable: most tragic cases on the water are not due to a storm, but due to panic and improper behavior of the crew during the storm. tippingUnderstanding the physics of the ascent process and being able to properly distribute your body weight will help you get out of the water dry or at least alive.
In this article, we will discuss a detailed plan of action for different types of boats, paying special attention to safety and prevention of re-upturn, you will learn how to properly interact with the inverted hull and why you should not let the boards go for a second.
Primary Actions in Water: The Survival Algorithm
The first thing you need to do after falling into the water is breath out. A sharp dive causes a breathing spasm, and if you don't let air out of your lungs, you can choke. Don't try to swim to shore right away or grab any floating objects. Your number one goal is to find a boat.
Even if the boat is completely submerged, it has a buoyancy that will eventually push it to the surface, at which point you need to be strictly close to the dive site, and often inexperienced users lose the boat, starting to swim randomly to the side, thinking that it was carried away by the current, when in fact it floats up next to it.
⚠️ Warning: Never let go of an overturned boat, even if it appears to be sinking. The vessel's hull is your main lifeline, which greatly increases visibility to rescuers and protects against predators.
Once the boat surfaces, assess your condition and the condition of the crew. lifejacketIt's a simpler task: it'll keep you afloat while you try to climb the keel. If you don't have a vest, hold overboard with both hands, pressing your legs against the body to reduce water resistance.
It is important to immediately shout "Man overboard!" or to give any beep if there are other boats nearby. The voice in the field can be heard poorly, so use a whistle, which, according to the rules, must be attached to each vest.
Features of the coup of PVC inflatable boats
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) boats have their own specific behavior on the water when rolling. floatability And they don't sink completely, they just flip upside down, but the weight of the water that gets inside the cockpit can be critical.
If your boat is Dive or Flagship If you roll over, don't jump right on top, and that will cause the boat to go completely underwater under your weight, you'll need to approach the side of the boat where the transom or the highest point is.
Why do PVC boats often not sink completely?
The secret is the design. Even if the main tank is damaged, the extra compartments and the structure of the double-bottom material itself create an air cushion. In addition, the inflatable seats (banks) often act as additional buoyancy blocks, preventing the vessel from going to the depths.
To successfully return to the inflatable boat, use the following technique:
- 🌊 Turn the boat sideways to pour out some of the water, but don't let go of the side.
- 🧗♂️ Throw your foot over the side, using inertia to roll over the body.
- 🤿 Only get inside after the boat is in normal position.
Remember, wet PVC becomes slippery. Sharp movements can lead to slipping and falling back into the water, which can lead to loss of strength and hypothermia. balloonThey are excellent handles.
Rescue of a metal boat (Kazanski and aluminum)
Metal boats, such as popular ones Kazan or VoljanaAluminum is heavier than water, and if a boat gets a lot of water, it can sink faster than PVC. float-block It's made of foam that doesn't let it drown completely.
The main danger of metal boats in a coup is the risk of hitting a sharp side or a transom. Aluminum does not forgive mistakes: the sharp angle of an inverted side can seriously injure, so you should swim to a metal boat with the utmost care, avoiding sudden jerks.
If the boat is kept afloat by the buoyancy blocks, but is completely filled with water, your task is to scoop up the water or pour it.
- 🛶 Swim to one of the sides.
- 🤲 Press hard on board to lift the opposite edge above water level.
- 💧 The water will begin to flow out of its own accord, making room for air.
⚠️ Warning: A metal boat in the wind behaves like a sail. When in the water next to it, keep strictly downwind, otherwise a heavy aluminum hull can pin you to the bottom or injure you.
Once the bulk of the water has been removed, you can try to climb inside. Metal boats often have smooth sides, so use any ledges, ducks to anchor or knobs as footholds.
Return to the board: step-by-step instructions
Returning to the boat is a physically demanding process that requires coordination. The most common mistake is trying to pull up with your hands alone. Your hands will get tired quickly and the boat will only swing. The key to success is using your legs and body weight.
If you're alone, go to the transom, which is the lowest part of the side of many models, and it often has a handle or a leer, and stick your feet in the water or special steps, if designed, and snatch the center of gravity onto the side.
☑️ Checklist for return on board
If you're two or more, it's easier, but it requires synchronization, and one person dives under the side and lifts it, and then the other person gets inside, and then they change roles, and this method avoids the boat being completely submerged under the weight of the first person who climbs.
The table below compares lifting methods for different situations:
| Situation | Method of action | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| One in a PVC boat | Throwing the leg over the side with a turn | Re-slope, loss of balance |
| One in metal | Swing and roll over the transom | Injury to a sharp edge, drowning |
| Two or more. | Mutual support and weight distribution | Insynchronicity of action |
| Strong wave. | Waiting for calm, holding on to leer | Impact on the side, choking |
Remember that centre You should stay as low as possible. Don't try to get up as long as you get inside. Crawl to the bottom, spreading the weight until the boat stabilizes.
What to do with motor and equipment
If the boat overturned, it was likely damaged and boat-engineFor two-stroke engines. Yamaha or Tohatsu The intrusion of water into cylinders through the exhaust window is a common occurrence. Honda or Suzuki They are more sensitive to water entering the lubrication system.
Immediately after lifting the boat, don't try to start the engine! This is guaranteed to lead to a hydraulic shock. First, you need to blow out the cylinders and replace the oil.
The procedure for action with the engine after the coup:
- 🔧 Remove the spark plugs.
- 💨 Rotate the starter (or pull the cord) several times to knock the water out of the cylinders.
- 🛢️ Replace the engine oil as it may have been water.
As for equipment, there is no time to think about things in the fight for life. However, if the situation has stabilized, try not to lose anchor. The anchor shaft can wind on the screw or confuse the legs. If the anchor is at the bottom, it is better to temporarily unhook it so that it does not interfere with maneuvers.
Fuel tanks, if they are in water, need to be carefully checked for leakage. Gasoline in the water is not only a loss of fuel, but also a fire hazard when trying to start the engine, as well as an environmental violation.
Prevention and preparation for water exposure
The best way to survive a coup is to be prepared. Prevention begins long before it hits the water. tightness compartments, the presence of working pumps and serviceability of life jackets - this is the base.
The distribution of cargo in the boat is critical, and heavy things like batteries and anchors have to be on the bottom, strictly on the central axis. Shifting cargo on one side is the most common cause of spontaneous miscarriage. tipping in calm water.
Also worth mentioning is the importance of training: Find a safe body of water on a hot day and try to flip your boat and climb back on purpose, an experience that you get under controlled conditions that will save your life in a real emergency situation when it counts for seconds.
⚠️ Warning: Always tell your route and approximate return time to relatives or friends on shore, and if the boat capsizes in a deserted place, it is the knowledge of your location that the rescuers will be the decisive factor.
Regular training to flip and board a boat in safe conditions increases the chances of survival in a real emergency by 80%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you turn a PVC boat back to one person?
Yes, it's possible if the boat is not too big (up to 3-3.5 meters) and you have the strength and skill, and the key is to use the inertia of water and capture the board properly, and for large boats, it's almost impossible to do it alone without special devices.
What if the motor went under water with the boat?
After lifting the boat, the engine must be thoroughly washed with fresh water (if you were in salt water), remove candles, blow out the cylinders and be sure to replace the oil in the crankcase.
Do I need to take off my life jacket to get into the boat?
No, you can't take off your vest! It keeps you afloat while you're working your feet. Take it off as a last resort if it's not getting in, and put it back on when you're inside.
How to prevent a boat from overturning on the wave?
You need to sit strictly in the center, do not make sudden movements, and when the big wave approaches, turn the boat nose or stern to the wave (depending on the type of vessel and the manufacturer's recommendation), but never sideways.