BOATING TIPS -- AUGUST 1993
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association checklists

I was looking over some literature I received from the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA), and I was mightily impressed with their recommended checklists for various emergencies that can be encountered when at sea.

The AMSEA checklists are designed for use primarily for fishing vessels, true, but recreational boaters can take note of several of the AMSEA ideas:

• Develop a checklist for fire, unintentional flooding, man overboard, and radio operations, and post the checklists or put them at each helm;
• Develop an emergency duty sheet for each crewmember. What should this person do in an emergency?
• Develop a specific vessel orientation card (a la airlines) and read the card to passengers when first aboard. It should tell of life preserver and flare locations, extinguishers and their use, rules about moving around the boat, what to do in an emergency, the MARPOL trash rules, etc

The AMSEA checklists I got came from LFS, Inc.; they were distributed free at the BYC School of Boating earlier this year.

Now let me quote to you the "Seven Steps to Survival" from AMSEA:

MAKE THE DECISION TO LIVE. FOLLOW THE SEVEN STEPS:

RECOGNITION: Admit your life is in danger. Act!

INVENTORY: Decide what can help and hurt. Do first aid.

SHELTER: Preserve body heat with materials that insulate and protect you from the environment.

SIGNALS: Help rescuers find you.

WATER: Find a safe source of water. Drink 2-4 quarts a day.

FOOD: After you are safe and warm, food will help long waits.

PLAY: Stay busy and keep a positive mental attitude.

CAUTION AND CREATIVITY ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS. USE THEM!

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