The situation when flipped overIt is one of the most dangerous scenarios on the water, requiring instant mobilization of all forces and composure, and panic is the main enemy in such a situation, which can lead to fatal mistakes even experienced waterman who can simply forget the basic rules of behavior in an emergency situation.
The GIMS statistics are relentless: most drownings are not because the boat sank, but because the crew did something wrong in the first minutes after the coup. PVC A small aluminum Kazanka has buoyancy, if not mechanically damaged, and can become your main lifeline.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the physics of the process, the psychological aspects of survival and the specific techniques for returning the boat to working condition, you will learn why you can not immediately try to climb inside the vessel and how to properly distribute weight in the water.
Initial reaction and assessment of the situation
When the boat turns over, there is a sudden change of scenery, the noise of water and screams can be disorienting. The first challenge - Do not make sudden movements and try to align your breathing to avoid hyperventilation of the lungs from cold water. lifejacketIt will automatically hold you to the surface, giving you valuable time to analyze.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to immediately try to climb inside the inverted boat, which will lead to the final flooding of the air cylinders or hull, and you will lose the last platform to rescue.
You need to do an instant visual inspection of the surroundings: Where are the rest of the crew? Is the boat going ashore or is it being taken away? Are there other vessels nearby? It is critical to maintain visual contact with an overturned boatIt is the most visible object for rescuers and the main tool of survival.
If the boat is motorized and the engine is underwater, do not try to start it immediately. The water in the cylinders can lead to hydraulic shock and the destruction of the cylinder block, which will make the engine unsuitable for further use even after drainage.
- 🚣♂️ Estimate the distance to the shore and the strength of the current or wind.
- 🆘 Check for communication: waterproof phone, radio or whistle.
- 👥 Make sure all crew members are on the surface and conscious.
Calmness in the first 60 seconds determines the outcome of the entire rescue operation, and proceed according to the plan you hope discussed before you set out on the water.
Rules of behavior in water and prevention of hypothermia
Once the initial shock is over, the main threat is hypothermia Even in relatively warm water (+18...+20°C), prolonged sitting still causes loss of muscle control and consciousness, and water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than air.
If you're alone, your task is to minimize the area of contact between your body and water. HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position)It keeps the heat in the vital organs: the chest, abdomen and groin.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to swim to the shore if it is further than 500-700 meters. Intensive movement accelerates blood circulation at the surface of the skin, which dramatically increases heat transfer and leads to rigor faster.
If there are other people nearby, the way to warm up is to group together. Close contact with the bodies in the circle creates a microclimate and significantly slows the cooling down. Stay out of the boat, but keep most of the body out of the water if the design allows you to lean on it.
- ❄️ Take the HELP pose: pull your knees to your chest and cross your arms.
- 🤝 If you have several, press tightly together in a circle.
- 🛶 Use any floating objects (refrigerators, canisters) as insulation.
Constantly monitor your condition and the condition of your friends. The appearance of tremors, slurred speech or drowsiness are alarming signs of impending hypothermia, requiring immediate warming action.
Techniques of turning over different types of boats
Getting the boat back to normal is a physical task, requiring an understanding of lever and buoyancy, and the way you do it varies dramatically depending on the type of boat you're using, like a PVC inflatable boat, a metal boat, or a plastic boat.
For inflatable boats PVC The boat is very saily, and if it flips over, it often fills up completely, and if you just re-rotate it, you may not succeed because of the weight of the water inside, and you can use the "scoop" method, or the use of body weight.
Hard-hulled metal and plastic boats behave differently. They don't deform, but they can carry a lot of weight. The key is to harness the power of water. By diving underboard and pushing up sharply, you can create momentum that can help turn the boat over, especially if the wind is blowing into your back.
Below is a comparative action table for different types of vessels so you can quickly navigate a stressful situation.
| Type of boat | The main problem | Key action | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable (PVC) | Water inside cylinders | Extraction or recanting | Puncture on sharp objects |
| Metallic | Large body weight | Using lever and wave | Sharp edges, burrs |
| Plastic. | Fragile on impact | Careful re-canting | Cracks in the hull |
| catamaran | Huge sailing | Using the sail as a lever | The complexity of mast management |
Remember that heavy boats often require outside assistance or special devices such as inflatable pontoon cylinders that are attached to the boat to facilitate rolling.
Return to the boat algorithm
When the boat is turned back (keel down), it is usually half or fully filled with water, and you can't get in that state, it will instantly go under the weight of a person, you have to remove the water first.
There are several ways to drain water. scoop If the boat is inflatable, you can use the deflation method, which is to lean on board, rhythmically press the opposite side, creating a wave that will throw water over the top.
⚠️ Attention: When you get in the boat, spread the weight. Don't lean on one side with your entire body weight. Get in the boat right in the middle, along the diametric plane, so you don't have to re-upend.
For inflatable boats, the method of using the pump in reverse mode (if the design permits) or simply a strong swing is effective. Metal boats often have drainage holes (spigates) that open only when the boat is almost empty.
☑️ Checklist
Once you're inside, immediately remove the water. Until the boat is stable and rises above the water, it's too early to talk about safety. Use all the tools available: buckets, mugs, pumps, clothes.
Actions with the motor after the coup
If you have a boat on your boat. boat-engineIt's a big problem, and even if you managed to turn the boat over, the engine probably swallowed the water.
First rule: Don't try to start the engine. It's guaranteed to cause a hydraulic shock, and you have to take the motor off the transom (if forces and conditions permit) or at least lift the dead-will as high as possible above the water.
The following is the drying algorithm:
- 🔧 Remove spark plugs (for two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines).
- 🌀 Rotate the crankshaft with a starter several times (candles must be twisted) to throw water out of the cylinders.
- 🌬 Blow the carburetor and compressed air supply system if possible.
If the engine is four-stroke and complex, with electronic injection, it is better not to risk and tow the boat to the shore, where to conduct a full-fledged maintenance.
Typical Mistakes and the Psychology of Survival
Analysis of real cases shows that people often die because of banal mistakes dictated by panic fear. Psychological aspect It plays no less a role than physical training.
One of the most common mistakes is trying to save things: people abandon the boat or spend their energy catching gear, anchors and bags, forgetting that life is more important than property. In cold water, the count goes on for minutes, and every second spent searching for a fishing rod brings the moment of rigor closer.
Another mistake is ignoring distress signals, many waiting for the “last moment” to signal when they should have been immediately after the coup, and a whistle, a flashlight, a mirror, or just bright clothes can save your life by attracting attention.
And you should also not underestimate the strength of the current. If you try to paddle against the current to the shore, you quickly exhaust your strength, you'd better go with the current, gradually shift to the shore, or use the boat as a raft, waiting for help.
Training in water behavior in safe conditions (pool, warm day off the coast) significantly increases the chances of survival in a real extreme situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What to do if the boat is far from the coast?
The first thing you need to do is calm down and check for life jackets on all people. Don't let go of the boat, even if it seems useless. Hold on to it, take a position to keep warm and appreciate the possibility of sending a distress signal. The only way to go to the shore is if it's very close, otherwise the boat is your best chance.
Can you use an inverted boat as a raft?
Yes, you can and should. An overturned boat (especially an inflatable boat or one with its bow compartments closed) has excellent buoyancy, climb on its bottom to get out of the water as much as possible, which will reduce heat loss and make you more visible to rescuers.
How to dry a PVC inflatable boat if it flips over?
Once back on board, you need to scoop up the water as much as possible, then when you get to shore, the boat needs to be completely flipped, the valves open (if any) and let the residues drain, ideally wipe dry and dry in the shade, because direct sunlight on wet fabric can be harmful, and drying in the sun will speed up the process, but requires control.
Is it dangerous to turn a boat with an electric motor?
Electric motors are less sensitive to water entering cylinders (because they don't exist), but are extremely sensitive to contact corrosion and water entering the battery compartment. Once the engine is lifted, it must be thoroughly washed with fresh water (if it was in salt water) and completely dried before the next start.