Safest Ways to Float if Your Boat Capsizes

Boating is a popular and fun activity, but accidents can and do happen. Falling into the water is often not a big deal, but certain conditions can make it a very dangerous incident. It can be compounded if the boat has capsized and there is no longer a safe place to exit the water. If the capsize occurs far from shore, survival until rescue arrives is critical. Fortunately, there are floating techniques that will help the boater survive until help comes.

  1. Life Jackets

    • The single most important factor in surviving a capsized boat accident is wearing a life jacket. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that over 80 percent of boating fatalities could have been prevented if the person had been wearing a life jacket. Newer life jackets are lighter and more comfortable than the old bulky orange kind. Some inflate automatically on water entry and many turn an unconscious wearer face up with the head out of the water.

    Float With the Boat

    • Even a capsized boat will generally float. It is generally safer to stay with the boat unless it is heading into a dangerous situation. A person in the water can use the buoyancy of the boat in two ways. First, it may be possible to climb onto the bottom of the boat. This gets the boater entirely or partially out of the water, thus conserving heat. Second, the boater can hang onto the boat and not expend the energy required to stay afloat on his own.

    Improvise

    • Many common items on a boat also float. Coolers and seat cushions may provide added buoyancy. Clothing, such as shirts and pants, can also be inflated to provide flotation. The boater ties a knot in the sleeves or pants legs and swings the open end overhead to fill it with air. The inflated item is then placed under the arms. This technique requires some skill and must be repeated often, but conserves energy.

    Survival Floating

    • The survival floating position is used if no effective flotation devices are available. The boater puts her face in the water with the chin tucked toward the chest. The back of the head should just break the surface. The body position resembles a question mark, shoulders flat and back curved. The waist is bent slightly and the legs dangle down. The arms are at the surface, elbows bent and hands spread. Breathing involves lifting the chin off the chest, exhaling and taking a deep breath. The rest of the body position should not change. To provide a little lift, the boater may need to push her hands out or frog kick the legs.