The situation at sea is unpredictable, the deployable rescue force is weak, and the support means are lacking. It requires broader coordination and stronger technical system support. In order to minimize the casualties and property losses caused by maritime emergencies, it is very important to learn the knowledge of self-rescue and mutual rescue at sea, which is closely related to the safety of life and property of every crew member.
01. What factors seriously threaten life if you accidentally fall into the water?
Lack of tolerance for sea water temperatures
People's physical strength is different, and the time they need to survive in the water is also different. Generally speaking, people can survive for 12 hours when soaked in water of 15 to 20°C; most people can survive for 6 hours if the water temperature is 10 to 15°C; half of people can survive for more than 1 hour if the water temperature is 5 to 10°C; and half of people can survive for more than 1 hour if the water temperature is 2 to 5°C. ℃, most people will not survive for more than 1 hour; when the water temperature is below 2 ℃, most people can only tolerate it for a few minutes. In a low water temperature environment, serious dysfunction occurs in various vital organs in the body, and ventricular fibrillation occurs. This is the main cause of death in shipwrecks. For those who fall into the water, the important threats to survival at sea are firstly drowning, followed by exposure, seasickness, lack of fresh water and food, fear, and unknown positions of the ship, lifeboats, and rafts, etc.
02. Self-rescue abilities that crew members should master
Due to the particularity of maritime rescue, it is often difficult for rescue forces to arrive at the scene immediately. For this reason, crew members must have certain self-rescue capabilities:
Send a distress signal immediately
By all means, the specific situation, time, location, nature of the distress, required help, etc. and the alarm and distress signal are sent out, generally through high-frequency telephone (VHF), DSC, GNDSS satellite communication system, emergency position indicating beacon, Single side straps and other marine life-saving equipment. When conditions permit, you can also directly use your mobile phone to call the water distress alarm number: China's dedicated maritime (water) search and rescue hotline: 12395.
At sea, once a ship encounters a collision, hits a rock, runs aground, drifts, catches fire or other maritime accident, or encounters a person falling into the water, or a sudden illness and needs rescue, you can dial 12395 to call the Maritime Search and Rescue Center.
Signal tools that can be used to call for help
1. Emit light. Use iron or shiny metal objects (such as mirrors) to reflect sunlight and transmit signals. If the sun is strong, the reflected light can reach about 15 kilometers, and it is easier to spot from high places.
2. Signal tube. It is divided into two types: day use and night use. Usually day use can be seen within 10 kilometers, and night use can be seen 20 kilometers away.
3. Waterproof flashlight. The signal can be emitted at night, but it can only illuminate about 2 kilometers at most.
4. Make your own signal flag. Wrap cloth around the top of a long stick and use it as a signal flag.
5. Maritime distress light. After it is lit, it will glow with seawater. When it is immersed in seawater, it will continue to glow for 15 hours. It can be found 2 kilometers away. The tool has a lifespan of 3 years.
6. Aluminum nylon cloth. It is highly reflective and can be seen from a distance, and it is also easily detected by radar.
When abandoning ship please note:
1. The abandon ship alarm signal is (seven short blasts and one long blast in one minute). All people on board must put on life jackets immediately after hearing the alarm and assemble to abandon ship according to the emergency evacuation diagram in each cabin.
2. You can use the inner stairway, outer stairway and gangway to escape. People in the engine room can use the access from the stern cabin to the upper deck to escape. Evacuate to the front, rear and open deck of the ship. If necessary, you can use life ropes and life ladders to escape into the water or the rescue ship. You can also put on a life jacket and jump into the water to escape. Follow the instructions and board the lifeboat (raft) and leave the ship in order. After abandoning the ship, you should stay away from the accident ship as soon as possible, because a sinking ship can easily form a whirlpool and involve people.
3. Wear a lifejacket before diving to survive, and try to avoid entering the water from a high place (preferably no more than 5 meters). Before diving, you must observe the water surface to confirm that no one has fallen into the water and there are no obstacles. Try to stay upwind and away from the ship. Diving in the damaged gap.
Be careful when falling into the water:
1. Maintaining the "HELP" posture can minimize the exposure of the body surface to cold water and slow down the rate of body heat loss; it can keep the head and neck exposed to the water as much as possible to maintain vision and avoid injury. Bend your legs and gather them under your lower abdomen as much as possible, clamp your elbows close to your side, cross your arms and hold them tightly in front of the life jacket, with only your head above the water.
2. If you have spasms (cramps) and fall into the water, do not panic. Change your original swimming posture, take a deep breath, bend your head forward into the water, relax your limbs and droop, and slowly massage the spasm area. In addition, you can also Try your best to stretch the spasm area in the water to relieve it.
