SEA SURVIVAL

Introduction

Four-fifths of the earth’s surface is open water- probably the most frightening
of all environments, and the most difficult in which to survive. In cold water the
body soon becomes chilled and even in a boat wind can chill the body rapidly.

Actions during Emergency

(a) During Parachute Descent : During descent by parachute into water, the
following actions must be taken :
i) Jettison the protective helmet and oxygen mask. The helmet can be
pushed over the survivor’s face as the life jacket is inflated. Oxygen mask left
on the face may result in inhalation of salt water.
ii) Below 10,000 feet, inflate the life jacket and other personal flotation
equipment by means of CO2 cylinder.
iii) When approaching the water, remove the safety clip of the parachute
harness QRB and turn the plate to “unlock”.
iv) As soon as the pack at the end of the lowering line hits the water, or
when the feet touch the water if no line is fitted, strike the pressure plate.
As this done, look to your front or upwards.
v) Promptly free the harness and shroud line from the body and pull the
survival pack towards you.
vi) Generally, in calm conditions the parachute canopy will not settle on top
of the survivor. Since the parachute material is porous when dry, there will
be no suffocation. One arm crooked on top of the head will maintain an air
space. Locate a gore of the parachute and proceed along it to reach the
periphery of the canopy. If you reach the apex first, follow the same gore in
the opposite direction. Avoid cutting the canopy from underneath as it may
only result in further entanglement.

(b) Survival after Ditching : Immediately after the aircraft comes to a rest, the
crew must release the safety harnesses and leave the aircraft. Following points
are to be kept in mind :

i) Life jackets must be inflated after leaving the cockpit.

ii) Dinghies should not be damaged while launching. If possible, they
should be launched on the lee side of the aircraft.
iii) Survivors must try to remain dry while boarding the dinghy. Never jump
into the dinghy.
iv) Life jackets must be worn but not inflated until well clear of the ac.
v) In case a dinghy is inverted in the water, it can be righted by using the
CO2 cylinder as a fulcrum and pulling the righting straps.
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vi) Full use must be made of boarding ladders. Both entrances must be
used to enhance speed and balance of the dinghy.
vii) A fit man can assist his less able companions to board far better if he is
in the dinghy than in the water.

Immediate actions

(a) Get clear of the aircraft : Once all the survivors are checked aboard the
dinghy, the painter attaching the dinghy to the aircraft should be cut, the
drogue pulled in, the water pockets emptied and the dinghy paddled clear
of the sinking aircraft.

(b) First Aid : The next priority is to administer first aid. Check all
survivors for any wounds/injuries and treat cases in order of severity of their
injuries. With each individual, deal first with breathing difficulties, then in
sequence, with major bleeding,wounds, fractures and shock.

(c) Rendezvous if Scattered : In case there is more than one dinghy in the
party, they should be linked together on about 20 feet of line.

(d) Salvage of resources : All equipment should be recovered from the water
and lashed securely to the dinghy to prevent further loss.

(e) Institute Immediate Rationing : After taking stock of the food and water
supplies, institute rationing. Try to supplement them from natural sources.
Emergency rations should not be touched for the first 24 hours.

(f) Duties : Duties should be allocated and rosters for their rotation should be
prepared by the captain.

Pattern of Survival

When the immediate hazards have been overcome and the shock of
arriving into a survival situation has been conquered, the detailed work of
surviving begins. The basic pattern of survival, in any survival situation is
Protection, Location, Water, Food and Other Aids.
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Protection

Protection is the first consideration in any survival situation. The survivor

must ensure first that his environment will not kill him. The survivor’s primary
defenses against the effects of the environment are clothing and shelter.

(a) Clothing : It is the first line of defense against environmental

factors. It helps reduce fluid loss and gives protection from sunburn as
well as warmth at night .The following points are to be considered at sea :-

i) Always try to stay dry and keep warm. If wet, use a wind screen to
decrease the cooling effects of the wind.

ii) Remove, wring out and replace outer garments or change into dry
clothing. Share extra clothes with those who are wet. Extra clothing
can be draped over the shoulders and the head.

iii) Clothes should be loose and comfortable.

iv) Body should be covered as much as possible to avoid sunburn.

Canopy of the raft may be used or a sunshade may be improvised.
Exposure to the Sun increases thirst, wastes precious water, reduces
the body’s water content and causes serious burns.

v) Survivors should roll down their sleeves, pull up their socks, close
their collars, wear a hat or improvised headgear, use a piece of cloth as
a shield for the back of the neck, and wear sunglasses or improvise
eye covers.

vi) Use sunburn preventive cream or chapstick. If the heat becomes

too intense, dampen clothing with sea water to promote evaporation
and cooling. Ensure that clothes are dried out by evening for nights can
be very cold.

vii) Do mild exercises such as stretching and arm circling to keep the
body warm, stave off muscle spasms and possibly prevent medical
problems. Warm hands under armpits and periodically raise feet
slightly and hold them up for a minute or two. Face muscles should be
exercised frequently.
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(b) Shelter : Personal protection from the elements is just as important on

the seas as it is anywhere else. The life rafts or the dinghies are the only
source of shelter to the survivors. If rafts are not adequately equipped or
the equipment has been lost, survivors should try to improvise these items
using parachute material, clothing or other equipment. Following points
should be kept in mind while taking care of the raft :

i) Proper Inflation : Inflate the raft properly. If the main

buoyancy chambers are not firm, use the pump or mouth inflation
tube. Air chambers should be firm but not rock-hard. Fully
inflated floors will provide some insulation from the cold. On hot
days, release some air as hot air expands.

ii) Sea Anchor : Use the sea anchor or improvise a drag from the
raft or bailing bucket to help maintain direction and location. It will
slow the drift of the raft and also prevent it from capsizing. Do not
allow the anchor rope to chafe the sides of the raft. During a storm,
a sea anchor will help the raft stay headed in the wind.

iii) Spray and Windshield : Keep the raft as dry as possible. Rig a
spray and windshield in stormy weather. To keep the raft balanced,
put weight in center. If there are two or more persons aboard, let the
heaviest sit in the middle.

iv) Leaks : Leaks are more likely to occur at valves, seams and on
underwater surfaces. Escaping air will cause bubbles under water
and above water will make a hissing sound. They can be repaired
with plugs provided in the dinghy kit. They screw into holes and
seal them.

v) Sails : Improvise a sail to take advantage of the wind for

navigation. Never tie down both lower corners of a sail at the same
time. A sudden gust of wind will tip the raft. Provide some method
of releasing one corner of the sail, or hold it if necessary.

vi) Righting an inverted dinghy : Most dinghies have righting straps

on the bottom, and larger ones have a righting line attached to one
side. Grab it from the opposite side; brace your feet against the
dinghy and pull. The dinghy will rise up and over, pulling you out
of the water momentarily. In heavy seas, or high wind this can be
extremely difficult.
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Location

Do not attempt to navigate the dinghy unless you can see the shore or you are
sure of your position. If the aircraft was flying to a flight plan, the probable point
of ditching is likely to be known to the SAR party. The dinghy will move under
the influence of the winds, tides and currents. The resulting drift will be taken
into account when the search for the dinghy is planned. Survivors must use all
possible means to aid the SAR party in their task. The equipment available are :

(a) Radio : If the lifeboat or raft is equipped with a radio, keep it dry
and keep giving blind calls regularly.

(b) Signalling mirrors/ Heliographs : It is the most valuable daytime

means of visual signalling. A mirror flash has been visible up to 100
miles under ideal conditions. It also works on overcast days.
Instructions are printed on the back of the mirror. Improvised signal
mirrors can be made from ration tins, parts from an aircraft, polished
glass or the foil from rations or cigarette packs. However, the mirror
must be accurately aimed if the reflection of the Sun in the mirror is to
be seen by the pilot a passing aircraft or the crew of a ship.

(c) Flares : Flares are designed to be used during the day or night.
Day flares produce a bright coloured smoke that stands out very clearly
against most backgrounds. Night flares are extremely bright and may
be seen for miles by air, ground, or naval recovery forces. Flares
should be ignited just before the time it can be seen by rescue
personnel. Keep flares dry and away from naked flames and heat
sources. To use a mini flare, screw a flare of the selected colour into
the end of the discharger, aim skyward, pull back striker and fire.

(d) Sea marker dye : It is a fluorescent, water soluble, orange

powder. When released in the sea, a highly visible, light green,
fluorescent cast is produced. A packet spreads into a slick about 150
feet in diameter and lasts an hour or more in calm weather. Under
ideal conditions, the dye can be spotted at 5 miles with the aircraft
operating at 1,000 feet. The release tab on the package is pulled to
open for use. After use, the dye should be rewrapped to avoid
contamination of food, water , clothing and hands.

(e) Personal Locator beacons : They are generally fitted on to the

life jackets of the aircrew. The aerial should be mounted and the
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entire unit be kept ready for use. The set should be switched on ,
keeping in mind the reaction time required for the SAR forces.
Although it is waterproof, all efforts should be made to keep it dry.

(f) Signal flags : Signal flags flown from a mast can be seen from
great distances. The best method of displaying the signal flag is for
two men to stretch it taut by holding each end and moving it to present
a flash of colour.

(g) Boat cover : When using the tarpaulin or boat cover as a canopy,
display it with the painted side up. Wave it when a rescue craft is in
sight.

(h) Whistle : Use the whistle during periods of poor visibility to

attract surface vessels or people ashore, or to locate other rafts when
they become separated in the night.

Water

Survival is more dependent upon a supply of drinking water than on food.

The average person requires 1 litre per day in temperate climates to keep fit. This
amount may not be available to survivors at sea. When water is short the
following rationing scheme is recommended for use in sea survival :

1st day - no water

2nd, 3rd & 4th day - 14 oz per day
5th day onwards - minimum of 2 oz per day

The injured should be given more than these amounts.

Water Sources :

(a) Use desalting kits and water-purifying tablets available in the

survival packs to remove the salt and alkaline substances from sea
water. However, they should be used only as a last resort.

(b) Solar stills will provide a drinkable source of water. Survivors

should read the instructions and set them up, using as many stills as
available. The apparatus should be attached to the raft.
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(c) Rain water: rainwater catchments are built into dinghies. Other
forms of catchment can be improvised from dinghy aprons, poncho
capes, balers etc. Drinking as much rain water as possible while it is
raining is advisable.

(d) Dew : Rig the canvas with the edges folded to catch any dew at
night. On foggy days, dew can be colleced by using a sponge,
chamois, handkerchief etc.

Do not try to supplement the water supply by any of the following

methods :

(a) Immersion of the body : There is no proof that the body will
absorb water through the skin. It may hasten the production of salt
water boils and the onset of immersion foot. In addition after several
hours of immersion, the survivor may not have the sufficient strength
to re-board the dinghy.

(b) Fish juices : The possibility of extracting a drinkable fluid from

the flesh of fish is not a practicable proposition. This fluid is high in
salt and protein and may, in fact, need more water for its digestion than
is available in the juice.

(c) Birds’ blood : As with fish, the juice and blood of birds is high in
salt and protein content.

(d) Sea water : To drink sea water is fatal. It will cause an individual
to become violently ill in a short period of time.

(e) Urine : Urine should never be consumed. Urine is body waste

material and only serves top concentrate waste materials in the body
and requires more water to eliminate the additional waste.

Conservation of body fluids

i) Fluid is likely to be lost in two ways , i.e. in sweating and in

vomiting. Therefore take all precautions to reduce sweating to a
minimum particularly in hot climates. Make every effort to prevent sea
sickness or to alleviate its effects. Sleep and rest are the best way of
enduring periods of reduced water and food.

ii Make use of breezes and sea water to cool the body.

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iii) If you are low on water do not eat, especially protein foods which
include fish and seaweed as they require a lot of water for digestion.
Carbohydrates require less water for digestion.

iv) Physical activities should be limited to the absolute minimum

required. All tasks should be performed slowly and deliberately.

v) Clothing should be worn at all times as it reduces the quantity of

water loss by sweating. The evaporation of sweat absorbed by the
clothing cools the air trapped between the clothing and the skin,
causing a decrease in the activity of the sweat glands and a subsequent
reduction in water loss.

vi) Avoid smoking or drinking .

Food

The sources of food available to the survivor can be classified as follows :-

(a) Survival or Emergency rations.

(b) Fish.
(c) Birds
(d) Sea weed.

Emergency rations

The rations carried in the survival packs should be kept back as a reserve food
supply and only used when it is impossible to live off the sea.

Fish
i) General : Fish will be the main food source. Generally all fish found in the
open sea are edible. Never eat fish that have pale, shiny gills, sunken eyes,
flabby skin and flesh or an unpleasant odour. Eels are edible but may be mistaken
for sea snakes. Sea turtles are also good food.

ii) Fishing line : Make a strong fishing line from pieces of tarpaulin or canvas by
raveling the threads and tying together in very short lengths. Also use parachute
suspension lines, shoelaces or thread from clothing.

iii) Fish hooks : In case hooks are not available, they can be improvised from
pins, nail files, collar insignia, ribbons, bird bones, pieces of wood etc. Improvise
fish lures by using a snap hook or a coin fastened to a double hook.
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iv) Bait : Use small fish as bait for catching larger fish. Save guts of birds and
fish for bait. Use a piece of coloured cloth, bright tin or even a button from a
shirt. Keep the bait moving in the water to make it appear alive. Try it at
different depths.

v) Fishing at sea : Use the following hints while fishing at sea :-

a) Wear gloves if available or use a cloth to handle fish to avoid injury
from sharp fins and gill covers.
b) Shine a flashlight on the water at night or use a piece of canvas or
cloth to reflect moonlight to attract fish.
c) In a rubber raft, take care not to puncture it with hooks, knives or
spears.
d) Shade attracts many varieties of small fish. A lowered sail or
tarpaulin may gather fish.
e) Flesh spoils easily and must be eaten fresh unless the air is dry
which is unlikely in the tropical oceans.

Birds
All birds at sea are potential food. They will be attracted to a raft as a potential
perching place. Keep still until they settle and grab them. Dragging a baited
hook or throwing a baited hook in the air may also produce results.

Seaweed
Raw seaweed is tough, salty and difficult to digest. It absorbs body water and
hence should not be eaten when water is scarce. Seaweed harbors small edible
crabs, shrimp and fish. Haul some weed aboard and shake it to reveal the small
edibles.

Seamanship

(a) Lookouts : All men in a raft should serve on watch except the injured or sick.
The look out should watch for signs of land, evidence of friendly and enemy
personnel and signs of chafing or leaking of the raft.

(b) Travelling : Wind and current will drift the raft. Use them if they are moving
in the intended direction of travel. To use the wind, inflate the raft fully, take in
the sea anchor, and rig a sail. Use an oar as a rudder. If the wind is against you,
lower the sea anchor and huddle low in the raft to offer less wind resistance. Do
not sail the raft unless you know land is near.

(c) Raftsmanship :
i) In rough sea, keep the anchor off the bow and sit low. Do not stand
up or make sudden movements.
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ii) In rough weather, have a spare sea anchor available in case the first
one is lost.
iii) To board a one man raft, climb in from the narrow end, remaining
as nearly horizontal as possible. This is also the proper way to board
multi seat rafts when alone.
iv) If there are several rafts afloat, they should be tied together. Use a
line approximately 25 feet long between rafts.

Signs of Land

(a) Indications of clouds : Clouds and certain distinctive reflections in the sky
are the most reliable indications of land. Small clouds hang over atolls and may
hover over coral patches. Fixed clouds or cloud crests often appear around the
summits of hilly islands or coastal land. Lightning from a particular region in the
early hours indicates a mountainous area, especially in the tropics.
(b) Indications by colour of sky and water : In the tropics, the reflection of
sunlight from shallow lagoons or shelves of coral reefs often causes a greenish
tint in the sky.
In the arctic, light-colored reflections on clouds often indicate ice fields or snow-
covered land. These reflections are quite different from the dark gray ones caused
by open water.
Deep water is dark green or dark blue. Lighter color indicates shallow water,
which may mean land is near.
(b) Indications by Sound : Sounds from land may originate from the continued
cries of sea birds from a particular direction, from ships or buoys, and from other
noises of civilization. The musty odor of mangrove swamps and mud flats carry a
long way. You hear the roar of surf long before you see the surf.

(c) Other indications :

i) An increase in the number of birds and insects indicates nearby
land.
ii) Seaweed, usually found in shallow water, may also indicate the
nearness of land.
iii) An increase in floating driftwood or vegetation means nearby land.

(d) Mirages : occur at any latitude, but they are more likely in the tropics,
especially during the middle of the day. Be careful not to mistake a mirage for
nearby land. A mirage disappears or its appearance and elevation change when
viewed from slightly different heights.
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HAZARDS TO SURVIVORS

Poisonous & Dangerous Water Animals

(a) Sharks : These large aquatic predators are curious and will investigate
objects in the water. They live in almost all oceans, seas, and in river mouths.
Sharks seem to feed more actively during the night and particularly at dusk and
dawn. After dark, they show an increased tendency to move toward the surface
and into shore waters. Following rules should be followed to prevent shark
attacks :
i) Do not fish from the raft when sharks are nearby. Abandon hooked
fish if shark approaches.
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ii) Do not throw waste overboard if sharks are around. They are
attracted by blood from wounds, body wastes and rubbish. Collect
fecal matter and vomit and throw it as far as possible.
iii) Do not dangle hands or feet in the water as sharks grasp their prey
near the surface, though it rarely jumps out of water to take food.
iv) A group of clothed humans bunched together will be safer than a
single individual.
v) Sharks cannot stop suddenly or turn quickly. Make rapid changes
of direction which the shark can not match.
vi) Sharks will be repelled by strong regular movements and loud
noises whereas weak fluttery movements may attract its attention
vii) If a group in the water is threatened or attacked by a shark, they
should bunch together, form a tight circle, and face outward so an
approaching shark can be seen. Ward off an attack by kicking or stiff-
arming the shark.
viii) At close quarters, jab its snout or gills with the oar.
ix) Use shark repellent. It is effective, although it disperses fairly
rapidly and the dinghy will tend to drift away from the dyed area.
x) In areas where there may be sharks keep away from dark and murky
water ,Sharks seems particularly adept at detecting prey in these
conditions
xi) Other animals are sometimes mistaken for sharks .A shoal of
porpoise or dolphins gracefully breaking the surface blowing and
grunting may look alarming. Actually it should be a reassuring sight,
because porpoise and dolphins are harmless to humans.

(b) Rays : Giant rays or mantas are found in tropical waters and may be
mistaken for sharks. In deep water, all rays are harmless to swimmers; however
some are dangerous if stepped on in shallow water. A swimming ray curls up the
tip of its fin ,and when seen from water level ,the fins somewhat resemble the fins
on the back of two sharks swimming side by side .
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(c) Killer Whales : have the reputation of being fearless, ruthless and ferocious
creatures. They are found in all oceans and seas, from the tropics to the polar
regions. They generally hunt in packs of upto 40 creatures. They have been
known to attack anything that swims or floats. Stay out of the water as the raft
may afford some protection.

(d) Jelly fish : Their size ranges from very small to a diameter of 6 feet with
tentacles hanging below to a depth of 100 feet. Danger may develop from contact
with the tentacles as they contain the stinging cells. Dead jellyfish or broken
tentacles can also inflict painful injuries. Clothing affords some protection from
these animals. These fragile creatures depend on wind and tidal currents to help
them move.

Remedy for sting : Tentacles or other matter should be removed immediately

using clothing or sea weed. Do not rub or suck the wound as it may activate the
stinging cells. Apply suntan lotion, oil or alcohol to prevent further stinging.
Urine may also be used for relief.

(e) Sting Rays : They have a poisonous barbed spine. This spine is hard to
remove and has a tendency to break off in the wound, increasing the possibility of
infection. They are flat, skate like fish, often several feet in length. The sting of
a large ray can be fatal.

(f) Barracuda : There are 20- odd species of barracuda which infest tropical
and sub tropical seas. They are attracted by anything that enters the water and
they seem to be particularly curious about bright objects. Survivors should avoid
dangling dog tags or other shiny pieces of equipment in the water. Dark coloured
clothing is also best to wear in the water if no life raft is available.

(g) Other Water Hazards : Tropical bone shell and long, slender pointed snails
are also poisonous. Coral, dead or alive, can inflict painful cuts. Sponges and
sea urchins can slip fine needles of lime or silica into the skin that will break off
and fester. For wounds from venomous spine fish, aid should be directed to
alleviating the pain of the sting, trying to halt the effects of the venom and
preventing infection.
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15.
Fish to avoid
Poisonous fish occur in tropical waters, especially in lagoons and around reefs
and atolls. Avoid fish with any of the following characteristics :

(i) Fish with spines or thorns

(ii) Absence of scales and slimy covering
(iii) Sunken eyes
(iv) Unpleasant smell
(v) Protruding lips and irregular rows of teeth
(vi) Internal organs and eggs of all tropical marine fish should not be
eaten as they contain higher concentration of poison.

16.
Marine animal edibility test

(a) The fish should be cut into thin strips and boiled in successive changes
of water for an hour or more.
(b) If boiling, is not possible, cut the meat into thin strips and soak in
changes of sea water for an hour or so, squeezing the meat juices out as
thoroughly as possible.
(c) Eat only a small portion of the flesh and wait 12 hours to see if any
symptoms arise. The degree of poisoning is directly related to how much fish is
eaten. If in doubt do not eat it.
(d) If any symptoms arise, vomiting should be induced by administering
warm salt water or sticking a finger down the person’s throat.

Health Hazards

(a) Sea sickness : is dangerous because of both the morale sapping effect and the
loss of vital body fluids in vomitting.
Prevention : By anti-sea sickness pills, performance of duties requiring
concentration and breathing plenty of fresh air.

Cure : Refrain from eating. Lie horizontal and maintain body warmth.
Drink water in small amounts.

(b) Immersion foot : Exposure of legs and feet to cold water for some time results
in damage to the skin tissue. It is exaggerated by constriction of circulation by
tight footwear. The affected part becomes red and painful; it then swells and
forms blisters and dark patches which break giving raw cuts.

Prevention : Keep the feet warm and dry. Remove tight socks and shoes.
Footwear can be replaced by strips of dry fabric.
Cure : Is the same as prevention. The affected parts should not be rubbed
or heated by artificial means.

(c) Salt water sores : Are burns or boils caused by prolonged exposure to salt
water.
Prevention : is to keep as dry as possible.
Cure : is to clean the sores and to treat with sulphanilamide powder and burn
dressings.

(d) Sore Eyes: Eyes can become very sore from the effect of both direct and
reflected sunlight and from the salt in the air.
Prevention : Wear eye shields, dark glasses or improvise eye shades or anti
glare goggles.

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Cure : By bandaging the eyes, if necessary, with strips of fabric damped with
fresh water.

(e) Constipation and difficult urination : They are the usual results of a period of
survival in a dinghy and need give no cause for alarm. Do not take any available
laxatives. Exercise as much as possible.

(f) Sunburn : Exposure to direct solar radiation will tend to raise the body
temperature. Sunburn on the scale likely to be met at sea can prove fatal if not
prevented.
Prevention : Cover the entire body with clothing. Face and hands and other
exposed parts of the body should be smeared with anti sun
burn cream from the first aid kit.

(g) Parched lips and cracked skin : are the results of dehydration and exposure
and can be avoided and alleviated if they occur by use of greasy ointment or
vaseline. A lip stick is provided in the first aid kit for cracked lips.

LIFE SAVING TECHNIQUES

a) Drownproofing In warm water ,one of the easiest ways to stay afloat for
an extended period without life jacket is to use a technique known as
downproofing.

i) Take a deep breath, relax and hang in the water with your face under
the surface and arms forward –as if lying over a barrel.
ii) To breath again, breath out under water. Pull down with your arms
and lift your head until your mouth is just clear of the water. Take a
deep breath and continue alternatively relaxing and breathing
iii) In warm water this technique allows a swimmer to stay afloat with
very little effort for hours or even days .It works because the totally
submerged human body with a lungful of air is slightly lighter than
the same volume of water – and will float naturally ,keeping part of the

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 body constantly above the surface requires more effort and is more
tiring .
iv) Down proofing should not be used in cold –Such as open water in
and around Britain ,because immersing the head speed at the rate at
which the body loses heat .It is better to float on your back using the
hands if necessary ,or to tread water slowly so that your face and most
of the head stays out of water .

b) Floating to conserve energy

If you have no life jacket ,try to float on your back ,sculling with your hand if
necessary.It is less tiring than treading .

c) The help position

The heat escape lessening position enables you to survive longer in cold water
.Bring your knees up and hug them to chest .Trust the life jacket to keep afloat
.Remain still in the fetal position and keep the head out of the water.

d) Towing with a towel or stick: If the water is calm and the swimmer
conscious and responsive ,give him one end of the towel/ any material and tell
him to tie on his back ;take the towels other end and tow him to shore / raft.

e) Towing an unconscious survivor :If the water is calm and the swimmer
passive or unconscious ,put your hand around his chin then straighten your arm
and with your elbow locked ,toe him to shore using side stroke .

f) Towing a frightened survivor :If the swimmer ids nervous and you need firm
control take him by the chin and pull him face upwards until his head is by yours;
grip his shoulders with your elbow and make it to the shore/ raft.
19.
g) Towing victim in rough water :If it is rough and you to keep the swimmers
head well above the water ,put your arm around his chest –holding him around
the lower ribs wit your hip in the small of your back and side stroke to shore .

h) If you are grabbed from behind : If the drowning person puts his arm
around your neck from behind ,tuck your chin down to guard your throat .Grasp
the elbow and wrist of his upper most arm .Push his elbow at the same time
holding his wrist down .Slip your head out through the arch that is formed .Then
either get out of his reach or move behind him .

j) Avoiding the victims grasp : If a drowning person tries to grab you as you
approach him turn quickly into your back and swim out of reach if he grabs your
leg ,fend him off by pusging

k) If you are grabbed from front :If the drowning person grabs you from
front ,tuck your chin into your shoulder and take hold of his arm .Push them up
and over your head and get well away.

General instructions and hints on the use of multiseater dinghy

(a) Never jump into a dinghy. Serious damage can result especially from
footwear.

(b) Never get on top of upturned dinghy (except to right it ). Depressing the
canopy under water makes it much more difficult to right

(c) Any multi seater dinghy that is overturned inadvertently can be righted by one
man using the CO2 bottle as a fulcrum, and applying his weight to the righting
strap or handle

(d) Always board the dinghy dry shod if at all possible; the chilling factor of the
wind is increased upto twenty five times by wet clothes

(e) If necessary to board the dinghy from the sea, make full use of ladders and
ramps, and use both doors .The dinghy will be better balanced and the full
complement will be abroad much quicker than if all the crowd at one door

(f) The first man abroad should assist the remainder abroad – remember that a fit
man can assist an unfit man to board for better from the dinghy than from the sea

(g) Multi seater dinghy is always attached to the aircraft. When all the survivors
are abroad, haul in the drogue, cut the painter to the aircraft and paddle clear of
the sinking aircraft
 20.

(h) If a casualty or non swimmer appears to be drifting away from the dinghy

(i) First try to reach him by throwing out the rescue line and quoit
,and by kedging on the drogue (remember that the dinghy is
drifting downwind from the man in the water and not vice
versa )
(ii) If this action fails then and only then should one occupant dive
overboard and swim to the helpless person . The rescuer must
always take with him a line attached to the dinghy .
(j) Keep a constant check for damage

(k) Keep all accessories and store lashed to the dinghy

(l) If the party has more than one dinghy lash them together on a twenty feet line

(m) Have one occupant tied to the dinghy by a life line all the time ;he will act as
an additional drogue in the highly unlikely event of the dinghy becoming
overturned .

Pickup or Rescue
On sighting rescue craft approaching for pickup (boat, ship, conventional aircraft,
or helicopter), quickly clear any lines (fishing lines, desalting kit lines) or other
gear that could cause entanglement during rescue. Secure all loose items in the
raft. Take down canopies and sails to ensure a safer pickup. After securing all
items, put on your helmet, if available. Fully inflate your life jacket. Remain in
the raft, unless otherwise instructed, and remove all equipment except the
preservers. If possible, you will receive help from rescue personnel lowered into
the water. Remember, follow all instructions given by the rescue personnel.
If the helicopter recovery is unassisted, do the following before pickup:
 Secure all the loose equipment in the raft, accessory bag, or in pockets.
 Deploy the sea anchor, stability bags, and accessory bag.
 Unsnap the survival kit container from the parachute harness.
 Grasp the raft handhold and roll out of the raft.
 Allow the recovery device or the cable to ground out on the water's
surface.
 Maintain the handhold until the recovery device is in your other hand.
 Mount the recovery device, avoiding entanglement with the raft.
 Signal the hoist operator for pickup.