If you find yourself in a sinking boat, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of survival. Read on to find out what they are.
Checkout this video:
The Problem
Your boat is sinking. What should you do?
The first thing to do is to assess the situation. Is your boat taking on water rapidly, or is it leaking slowly? If it is taking on water rapidly, you will need to take measures to plug the hole or holes as quickly as possible.
If you have a life jacket, put it on. If not, try to find something that will float and hold onto it. If there are other people with you, form a human chain so that everyone can stay together.
Then, start swimming towards the shore or any other vessel that may be nearby. Try to stay calm and swim with measured strokes so that you don’t exhaust yourself too quickly.
Once you reach shore or another vessel, call for help and wait for rescuers to arrive.
The Solution
The best solution is to have a plan in place before your boat starts sinking. This plan should include:
-A way to identify where the leak is coming from
-A way to patch the leak
-A way to pump out the water that’s already in the boat
-A way to keep the boat afloat until you can get help
If you don’t have a plan in place, then you need to act quickly. The first step is to find the leak and plug it. You can use anything that will fit snugly over the hole and stop the flow of water, such as a piece of cloth or a cork. Once you’ve plugged the leak, you need to start pumping out the water that’s already in the boat. You can use a manual or electric pump for this. Finally, you need to keep the boat afloat until help arrives. This can be done by using barrels or other floatation devices.
The Result
The result of a sinking boat is generally disastrous. If you are in the open water, you will likely be faced with hypothermia and dehydration. If you are in shallow water, you may be able to make it to shore but you will still be at risk for drowning. Either way, it is important to know what to do if your boat begins to sink.
