Survivor management
Governing: STCW Code Table A-VI/2-1; MCA PSCRB (Restricted) Guidelines, Outcomes 3 and 5. Builds on: L2.1; Personal Survival Techniques (PST); Elementary First Aid (EFA).
Once the craft is clear, Table A-VI/2-1 turns to managing survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship: handling in rough weather, the painter, sea-anchor and all other equipment, apportioning food and water, maximising detectability, helicopter rescue, hypothermia, marshalling, and beaching. Then first aid: using the first-aid kit, resuscitation, and managing injuries including bleeding and shock.
The equipment
The Restricted course criteria list a liferaft survival pack including: floating knife, bellows, topping-up valve, leak stoppers, drogue, paddles, sponge, rescue line and quoit, first aid pack, whistle, bailer, heliograph, repair outfit, survival rations, water, fishing kit, survival booklet, rescue signal table and signal torch. Know where each is in your raft type and what it is for.
| Need | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Stability, reduce drift | Drogue (sea anchor) |
| Keep dry | Bailer, sponge, leak stoppers, bellows |
| Be found | Heliograph, torch, pyrotechnics, SART, EPIRB (L3.2) |
| Survive | Rations, water, first aid, seasickness tablets |
Exposure
Cold kills survivors fastest in northern waters; heat and dehydration in the Mediterranean and tropics.
- Cold: close the canopy, inflate the floor, huddle, wear immersion suits and thermal protective aids for the wet and injured. REG Part A 13.6 requires immersion suits for the rescue boat crew, and stowed on the bridge and in the engine control room where the machinery space is not unmanned.
- Heat: stay under the canopy, keep still, wet clothing to cool, shade the injured. The Restricted criteria specifically include sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Water and food
- Take charge of all water and rations at once and issue them on a set routine, not on demand.
- Seasickness wastes body water: give tablets early.
- Never drink seawater or urine; the Restricted criteria single this out.
- Collect rainwater whenever you can.
Helicopter rescue
Table A-VI/2-1 requires knowledge of the method of helicopter rescue. The Restricted criteria add the search and rescue organisation, methods of rescue by yachts and aircraft including winching, and precautions when disembarking survivors, especially cold casualties. In outline:
- Follow the winchman's instructions; do not grab the hook or wire before it has touched the sea or craft.
- Secure loose items; the downwash is severe.
- Cold casualties are lifted horizontally where possible.
Beaching
If you must land a craft through surf: stream the drogue astern, keep the craft stern-on to the waves, everyone low and holding on, and get out and clear quickly once aground.
First aid in the craft
The Restricted criteria cover: first aid kit and resuscitation, bleeding and shock, drowning and hypothermia, cold injuries (frostbite, immersion foot), heat illness, seasickness and dehydration, burns, scalds and fractures, the unconscious survivor, and the dangers of incorrect treatment.
CAUTION - Rewarming Handle hypothermic casualties gently and keep them horizontal. Rough handling or sudden rewarming can make them worse.
TIP - Give everyone a job Survivors with a task (bailing, lookout, keeping the log) cope better than those left to think.