| There are many factors that can increase your | | | | head. |
| chances of capsizing. Rough seas, overloading a boat | | | | If you are stuck in the water and you cannot climb |
| (or poor load distribution), poor driving, freak waves | | | | the hull, try to stick as close as possible to the other |
| and broaching (when the water is pushed into the | | | | passengers. This will help you stay afloat as well as |
| boat, usually by a following sea) are all factors that | | | | to conserve your body heat. |
| can cause a capsizing. | | | | Try to relax and stay calm. Help weaker swimmers |
| Obviously, you should always try to avoid capsizing. | | | | where possible and try to comfort the scared, young |
| Common sense often goes a long way and it is | | | | or elderly. Staying calm means you will keep a cool |
| often important to be a little over vigilant rather than | | | | head which will stop you from making any rash |
| a little slack. | | | | decisions. |
| Proper preparation and skippering decrease your | | | | If possible, try to take any safety and survival gear |
| chances of being involved in a capsizing. However, | | | | with you before capsizing. Usually a capsizing will |
| should your boat capsize, below are some tips that | | | | happen so fast that you have very little time to take |
| will help you stay alive. | | | | anything with you. If possible and the situation |
| Firstly, always stay with the boat. When the rescuers | | | | permits, consider sending the best swimmer down to |
| come looking for you it is always easier to see the | | | | retrieve some gear as needed. Items such as flares, |
| boat than searching for individuals in the water. Most | | | | life jackets, clothing, distress signals and drinking |
| boats also contain basic flotation properties which | | | | water should be retrieved if possible. It is wise to |
| means they will stay afloat for some period of time. | | | | leave other items behind. What may seem valuable |
| Clinging to the boat will save you and your | | | | to you normally is nowhere near as valuable as a life, |
| passengers and crew from expelling valuable energy. | | | | so leave wallets and other personal belongings behind. |
| If possible you can try to upright the boat and bail | | | | Remember, even in tropical conditions the ocean is |
| out the water. However if your boat is any larger | | | | usually half the temperature of our bodies. Prolonged |
| than a dinghy this will most likely be impossible to | | | | exposure in the water (even in summer) will rapidly |
| accomplish. | | | | cause hypothermia. |
| Always try to cling as high up the hull as possible. You | | | | Now you basically have to wait to be rescued. Try |
| will lose a lot less body heat out of the water than in | | | | signalling rescuers when in range. You can do this by |
| it. Keep as many of your clothes on as possible as | | | | using flares, a signalling mirror, waving your arms, a |
| these will help you retain heat. If you have a hat or | | | | rescue blanket or by using any other visual method |
| beanie, keep it on as this will help keep you warm as | | | | of gaining their attention. |
| the majority of your body heat is lost from your | | | | |