11.6.2 Choosing a Liferaft

Prevention/Retention of Heat in water:

▪Give warm sweet drinks if

conscious, do not give alcohol.

▪Wear approved lifejackets.

▪Avoid rubbing the victim’s body.

▪Wear immersion suits over warm

See Water Safety Ireland website, www.watersafety.ie, for more information.

clothing. Wet suits provide extra buoyancy and reduce heat loss but dry suits are better for long-term survival.

Note: If a person requires immediate medical attention, call the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 or ring 999 or 112.

▪To retain heat in water, avoid

swimming if possible. Learn coldwater survival techniques (stay still with arms/elbows by sides and legs together – “HELP” (Heat Escape Lessening Position).

11.6.2 Choosing a Liferaft

When selecting a liferaft, it is recommended that you seek advice from the chandler and be aware of what equipment is included.

▪Get out of water as soon as

possible (life raft, upturned hull or any other refuge in air).

Follow up:

ORC Pack

▪Prevent further heat loss.

▪Bailer

▪Monitor airway, breathing and

▪Red Handheld Flares (3)

circulation.

▪Sponges (2)

▪Move victim to shelter and lie flat.

▪Torch (with spare batteries and

▪Insulate body and especially the

bulb)

head. Warm with blankets and, if possible, your own body heat. While blankets help a person to retain body heat, they are not sufficient to treat hypothermia. It is vital that you warm the core of the body first or the cold blood will be forced towards the heart and may cause death.

▪Leak stoppers (set)

▪Pump

▪Repair kit

▪Paddles (2)

▪Safety Knife

▪Instruction leaflet

▪Sea anchor

▪Rescue quoit and line (30 m

▪Remove wet clothing if dry

floating)

replacements are available. If not, enclose body – except face – in large polythene bag or other waterproof material.

It is recommended that additional equipment is carried in a suitable grab bag.

World Sailing Pack

▪Torch (with spare batteries and

bulb) ▪Seasickness tablets (6 per person) ▪Rescue line and quoit ▪Safety knife ▪Sea anchor (2) ▪First Aid kit ▪Sick bag (1 per person) ▪Whistle ▪Red parachute flares (2) ▪Red handheld flares (3) ▪Buoyant orange smoke ▪Heliograph ▪Radar reflector ▪Thermal Protective Aids (survival

▪Bailer

Emergency Procedures

▪Thermal protective aids (survival

bags) (2)

▪Seasickness pills (min of 6 per

person)

▪Seasickness bags (min of 1 per

person)

▪Sea survival instructions

▪Red Handheld Flares (3)

▪First Aid kit (including water to

help take pills)

▪Sponges (1 per person)

▪Torches (2 sealed for life)

▪Leak stoppers (set)

bags) (2)

▪Signal mirror

▪Pump

SOLAS A Pack As SOLAS B Pack plus:

▪Repair kit

▪Buoyant paddles (2)

▪Fishing kit

▪Signal card

▪Additional red parachute flares (2)

▪Whistle

▪Additional red handheld flares (3)

▪Safety knife

▪Additional buoyant orange smoke

▪Sea anchor

▪Water (0.5 litre per person)

▪‘Wet’ notebook and pencil

▪Graduated drinking vessel

▪Rescue quoit and line (30 m

floating)

▪Rations (10,000 kilojoules per

person; non thirst provoking)

SOLAS B Pack

▪Tin-opener

▪Bailer

There are a number of essential points to consider when selecting a liferaft:

▪Sponges (2)

▪Leak stoppers (set)

▪Pump

▪Two Compartment Buoyancy

▪Repair kit

Chambers – allows one chamber to be damaged without compromising the buoyancy of the raft.

▪Buoyant paddles (2)

▪Signal card

▪Instruction leaflets