Recognition. Inventory. Shelter. Signals. Water. Food. Play!
Everyone who goes to sea on a NOAA ship has an opportunity to attend two days of sea safety training.
This class turned out to be incredibly important! Not only could it save a lot of lives in an actual emergency, but it helped me feel much more comfortable and confident from day one on Shimada.
Sea safety training starts with the near-impossible task of improvising together to stop or slow water flow in a simulator. Of course just when you think you have it under control, you spring another leak…
Signals!
Drills on OSU R/V Elakha: man overboard, fire, abandon ship.
Immersion suits! Must be able to put this on in 60 seconds. We also practiced in the dark.
Finally, into the water.
When life rafts deploy automatically, of course they might not deploy right side up. Gotta learn to flip it over and climb inside.
What, no raft?
Stay warm alone: HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position)
Stay warm together! Huddle!
Swimming together with the EPIRB.
Be big, be bright, be different. This technique disturbs the water surface around the group and can make you more visible to search and rescue aircraft.
Coast Guard helicopter basket. Plenty of room in there!
What a great day!
Spindrift 