10 Summing up
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1185/Rev.1 – Guide for Cold Water Survival – (30 November 2012) - Annex - Guide for Cold Water Survival - 10 Summing up

10 Summing up

 This guide has briefly explained how your body responds to cold, what you can do to help ward off its harmful effects and, finally, how to aid people recovered from the water or from survival craft.

 Let's sum up with some important reminders about survival. Follow them, for your life may one day depend on them.

  • Plan your emergency moves in advance. Ask yourself what you would do if an emergency arose. Where is your nearest exit to the deck for escape? Where is the nearest available immersion suit, lifejacket, SART, emergency location beacon and survival craft? How would you quickly get to your foul weather gear, insulated clothing, gloves, etc.?
  • Know how your survival equipment works. The time of the emergency is not the time to learn.
  • Even in the tropics, before abandoning ship put on many layers of clothing to offset the effects of cold. Wear an immersion suit if available.
  • Put on a lifejacket as soon as possible in an emergency situation – and adjust it correctly.
  • When abandoning ship, try to board the survival craft dry without entering the water.
  • Take anti-seasickness medicine as soon as possible.
  • If immersion in water is necessary, try to enter the water gradually.
  • The initial response to immersion in cold water will only last a few minutes: rest until you regain control of your breathing. (This initial response will not always occur, but is more likely with lower water temperatures/less protection.)
  • Try to get as much of your body as you can out of the water.
  • Swimming increases body heat loss. Only swim to a safe refuge nearby if the likelihood of early rescue is low and you are confident that you can reach it. Swim on your back, using only your legs if you can.
  • If trying to reach a floating object swim downwind of it, letting the wind bring the object to you.
  • If not swimming to a refuge, try to reduce your body heat loss: float in the water with your legs together, elbows to your side, and arms across your chest.
  • If you are not wearing a lifejacket, do not wave to attract attention. You will lose buoyancy if you have no lifejacket.
  • Force yourself to have the will to survive. This can make the difference between life and death. Keep your mind occupied and focus on short-term objectives.
  • Do not over-exert yourself during the rescue process: let the rescuers do the work – they are in a better condition than you.
  • Even while being rescued, do not relax too soon.

 Advance knowledge, planning, preparation and thought on your part can be the most significant factors in your survival – or in treating others who have been exposed to the cold.

 Familiarize yourself with the contents of this guide.

Parent topic: Annex - Guide for Cold Water Survival
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