Re: TWL: RE: RE: Hypothermia/retrieval
I will repost this information, since my thing is "safety at sea". All boats
should have a "Lifesling".
There are several versions: the least expensive is about $100. The beauty
of this system is that it is deployed from the boat (make sure that the
skipper can deploy it easily--do some trials. It gives floatation, and the
Horseshoe shaped persevere can serve to lift the person aboard.. The line
is trailed astern, with the buoy, and the victim is circled until the line
is around the person and they can easily slip into the horseshoe buoy. The
boat is stopped (engines off) and the person pulled to the boat. On the
Symbol I had it rigged up so that the Crane davit could hoist the victim
onto the side deck, swim platform, or into the opening to the aft deck. On
the Carver I have a lifting davit, which is manual. Currently it has only
6:1, but this is enough to allow my wife to get my 200 lbs at least out of
the water onto the swim step. One either has to use a winch or block and
tackle. I would venture that few on the list are strong enough to pull
their mate directly out of the water. (I have seen this done by young and
very strong people--but few can do this).
If a safety harness is hooked onto a tether it can be used to lift--but you
must have a lifting mechanism and a line attatched. One other item I am
planning to do--put a #40 (40:1 advantage) sailboat winch on the aft
deck--for winching in anchors, pulling the boat to a dock, kedging off if
aground, or helping to bring a person aboard, if I cannot get enough
purchase with the davit I have.
Next the victim must be taken to a warm place--If lacking two naked lovely
ladies, warm blankets, hot water baggies etc will help. Get out of wet
clothing, into warm and dry area. Do not give stimulants or alcohol by
mouth. In fact wait until the temperature has started to rise before giving
even warm broth, because of the danger of aspiration.
I agree practice--not with milk jugs or cushions. Do it in the summer,
with a real person with a wet suit on. I noted in one of the magazines this
month how snagging two milk jugs equaled a rescue.
Well, if these folks have to really rescue a person, they will have a rude
awakening.
Be safe.
Bob Austin
I always act on the assumption that I can't swim and that I'm alone on the
boat.
Yes I can swim after a fashion, and have saved myself a couple of times.
But assuming that I can't; makes me more careful. and assuming I'm alone
forces me to plan ahead without relying on someone else to rescue me from
my own dumb mistakes. That way you won't get surprised by an
inexperienced crew.
In other words it I end up in the water, its too late and I'm as good as dead.
That means wearing a safety harnessand strap which does not allow me to
cross the gunnel.
If I can't go over the side then dealing with getting me back on board
isn't an issue.
Rig jack lines or whatever to clip on to.
On my sailboat I ran all halyards including the jib sail downhaul back
into the cockpit.
In other words, no reason for anyone to be on deck once we were away from
the dock and under way.
I once had a case og mild hypothermia without ever leaving the cockpit
duing a day sail in August.
The day was warm, so bathing suits was the dress code of the day,
A series of line squall came up with chilly winds. Conditions deterioated
to the point we were getting soaked with spray plus 60 knot winds. The
squalls lasted a couple of hours before skies cleared and we got
sunshine again.
All told 9 people were killed by that front moving across southern Ontario.
The hypothermia occurred due to the increased heat loss from continual
water dousing and the winds removing heat from our exposed bodies.
Putting on a wind breaker didn't help much.
I only realized how badly affected I was when I fumbled with a snap shackle
and realized I couldn't open it with my numb fingers.
I was shivering uncontrollably and my companions mentioned later that I
had a bluish color to my face and fingers. So did they!
Since that day onwards I have never left the dock without my UVIC coat or
full floater suit, no matter how hot the weather or warm the water. The
water temp was about 70 degrees F but still it chilled us.
That was the closest I have come to losing a boat. Obviously my decision
making process was also impaired as a result of the hypothermia. The
insiduouis part is you don't realize what is happening to you until it is
too late.
Cheers
Arild
I will repost this information, since my thing is "safety at sea". All
boats should have a "Lifesling".<<<<
There are all sorts of patent devices that are supposed to make it possible
(easy even) to retrieve an MOB. There's no reason why skippers shouldn't
install them if it makes them feel better, but I would hope, plead, pray and
implore that they do it AFTER setting up their boat for the easiest possible
us of lifeharnesses. NOT before, and never instead.
That means having a harness for every crew member adjusted to their size;
storing them in a convenient place, not tangled up at the bottom of a locker
under a pile of junk; having jackstays rigged so that crew can clip on
before going on deck, and move to every part of the deck without unclipping.
Skippers need to insist that lifeharnesses are worn, and give a good example
by wearing them themselves. I know harnesses are a PITA, but the more you
wear them, the more natural it becomes.
I know a lot of people put a lot of thought into MOB procedures, and I don't
mean to have a go at them. However I've read about many MOB systems, been to
demos at boat shows and taken part in MOB exercises as rescuer and victim,
and I've yet to see a system in which I'd place any confidence in anything
other than ideal circumstances. Questions I always have include:
How will a solo crew (assuming the worst) manoeuvre the boat back to the MOB
without losing visual contact?
Will an unconscious or even semi-conscious MOB be able to "easily slip" into
the lifesling, horseshoe buoy etc.?
If a lifting tackle or winch is to be used to lift the MOB aboard, how will
this be hooked up to the lifesling, harness etc? Does the system rely on a
cooperative MOB? Does it involve the rescuer leaning way out over the side,
or going down onto the swim platform, or otherwise placing themselves at
risk?
How will you do all this nifty stuff in bad weather at night? How much
physical strength is required? Would the weakest member of the crew really
be able to manage?
Practicing MOB recovery procedure is a good idea, but doing it only in ideal
conditions gives a false sense of security. MOB exercises in "worst case"
conditions would probably be too dangerous to contemplate. Personally I
thing the designers and vendors of all these MOB-Recovery-Made-Easy gadgets
should volunteer as victims....
Oh dear, what a rant! But please let us give first priority to keeping the
crew on the boat, not to picking them up after they're in the drink.
Regards, Robert Bryett
Sydney, Australia.
mailto:rbryett@mail.com
rbryett@mail.com writes:
I know harnesses are a PITA, but the more you
wear them, the more natural it becomes.
Harnesses are somewhat uncomfortable/unnatural to wear. I've been wondering why we use these constructs? I have seen many ironworkers and linemen (my grandfather was one) going up and down telephone posts etc. with a very wide impressive looking belt
around their middle which they clip to various other things like large loops, safety lines, steps etc. I have worn such a belt and find it quite comfortable and more natural than the typical marine harness. If I am trying to keep myself on the boat,
rather than being pulled out of the water, why would such a workman's belt not be at least as adequate? Think I'll check out what's available at Marks Work Warehouse...
George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario, Canada
Two reasons...many harness have a builtin inflatable PFD. Second shoulder,
waist and crotch are required according to an acquaintance who designs SAR
gear. There are relatively easy ways to fall out of anything less. Note
that most harnesses lack crotch straps.
Jim
why would such a
workman's belt not be at least as adequate? Think I'll check out
what's available at Marks Work Warehouse...
George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario, Canada
Two reasons...many harness have a builtin inflatable PFD. Second
shoulder,
waist and crotch are required according to an acquaintance who
designs SAR
gear. There are relatively easy ways to fall out of anything less.
Note
that most harnesses lack crotch straps.
OSHA has gotten away from belts and gone to full body harnesses. It
only takes something like a 4' fall with a belt to break your back. A
bunch of my co-workers have come back from climbing training very
sobered - apparently they drop all the statistics on what a minor fall
can do in various circumstances.
Michael