AUTHENTIC READING: HOW TO SURVIVE IF LOST AT SEA

HOW TO SURVIVE IF LOST AT SEA
No one wants to contemplate their peaceful sailing vacation or boat trip turning into a disaster-- and most mariners or ship passengers will have safe journeys. However, when faced with the unpredictable nature of the sea, it's best to plan for the worst.

PLAN IN ADVANCE

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Make sure your boat has the following supplies:
o Seaworthy life raft
o Enough life jackets for everyone on board
o Dry suits (particularly if you are in a cold climate)
o Bottled water (enough for everyone on board for several days)
o Radio transmitters (larger vessels should have a device called an EPRB, which helps rescuers locate the person using it)
o Seasickness medication
o Plastic-wrapped packages containing the "Ten Essentials" for everyone aboard.
o Fish net
o Plastic wrap
o String or rope

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Package your emergency items in waterproof containers above decks, preferably strapped into the lifeboat.

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Create an emergency plan.
o One or two people should be in charge of the following:
§ A unique "abandon ship" alarm, which should be heard by everyone aboard
§ Deploying lifeboats
§ Moving emergency supplies to lifeboat
§ Handing out survival gear
§ Head count

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Practice your emergency drill with your shipmates.

IN THE EMERGENCY

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Move above decks if you are not there already.

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Collect your survival objects
o First, put on your dry suit and flotation device. If you have time, put extra clothing in your suit for warmth.
o Next, make sure you have food, supplies, and a container of water
o Move toward the nearest lifeboat. Although you will be scared, avoid running or thrashing.
§ If you are not able to board the raft from the deck, swim towards it. Your odds of being rescued are much higher if you are with the group on a large raft.

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Take seasickness medication, even if you do not usually get seasick. The stress, proximity, and jumpy movements of the raft will probably induce nausea.

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Cover the life raft. There is usually a cover provided. This will help protect you from the weather.

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Signal a distress call on your radio.
o State the name of your vessel, your situation, your last known location, and the number of people with you.
Extreme Survival Tactics

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Collect sea water in a large container. Place a smaller container within this one, and cover both with plastic wrap. Place a small weight in the center of the plastic wrap. Evaporation will cause the water to collect on the plastic, and drain inward, leaving the salt behind.

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Catch fish using a curved piece of metal or plastic on a string.The shadow of the raft will attract fish, even further out at sea. If you have a net, you may try using this instead.
o Prepare the fish by removing all the guts (where parasites are most likely to be).