DISTRESS SIGNALS

I know how some people think of distress signals. This is what your stomach tells you after a big night at the club, or after a holiday weekend. OK, I'll buy that, but what about the ones you have on board. You know, the ones back there in the cockpit or lazarette, or somewhere? Right, the ones you'll need a lot more than Alka-Seltzer, when you're in distress someday.

During my Coast Guard years, I saw a lot of people in distress, some of whom would likely have never made it, had it not been for the sharp eyes of a crewman on lookout. I never cease to be amazed at the lack of good quality distress signals on vessels. Folks, no matter how you look at it, these things are as important as your PFD in an emergency. No matter how long you stay afloat, if no one comes to get you, the final result is the same, just slower. Yes, that's a chilling thought, but no more chilling than 24 hours in the cold offshore waters.

Why are there dating requirements on aerial flares and other pyrotechnic devices? Old flares appear to be good, and there is a good chance they will work even if outdated. But dating requirements were established to help assure the distress signals will work every time they are needed. The "shelf life" of these signals is predicated on the average user, and the handling that user will likely give the signals. If everyone kept their signals in air and water tight containers, they would probably last much longer than the three years between manufacture and expiration. If you leave them sloshing around in bilge water, I can guarantee a shortened life span. Keep your distress signals in a dry area, free of unusual heat, and you'll be able to keep your outdated signals for spares.

Smoke canisters and hand held smoke devices must also meet dating requirements. Same with fusees, or hand held flares. They need to be within date and maintained in good condition. Ordinary road flares are not acceptable, since they are not dated and do not bear a USCG label. And, most road flares are subject to deterioration due to their construction, which is not meant to stand up to the rigors of marine storage.

It is wise to carry more distress signals than required; remember USCG requirements are just minimums. And, for voyages far offshore, SOLAS listed distress signals may be a prudent buy, since they are designed not only to meet, but to exceed all USCG standards. Whistles, PFD lights or strobes, signaling mirrors and a hand held VHF radio are important safety items as well.

Since 1982, over 22,000 people have been rescued using the COSPAS-SARSAT system which uses satellite tracking of distress signals. For those of you who purchased the older 121.5 MHz EPIRB's, as of February 1, 2009 ,the signal will no longer be picked up by satellite. You will need to purchase a new 406 MHz Category I or II EPIRB to assure you will be able to be found in an emergency! For offshore voyages, a reasonably inexpensive, (considering what a life is worth?) a 406 Mhz EPIRB, with its multiple frequency signals, and "signature" transmissions to SARSAT satellites, is a wise choice.

Incidentally, the old EPIRB's may still have their signal picked up by commercial aircraft, but that does no good unless there is one in the area. Plus they don't look for your signal specifically...it's just the luck of the draw!

Request a copy of the US Coast Guard and your specific State requirements, and be sure your equipment meets the minimum standards. A no-cost Coast Guard Auxiliary inspection each year is one way to be sure you exceed the minimums for safety.

If, in over forty years of boating, I have learned one lesson well, it is that the key to survival is you. You and your crew, and the preparations you have made, are the only things you can count on in an emergency. The best safety and distress signals will not work unless you take the time to learn their correct storage and deployment techniques, and when to use them to their best advantage. The time for that is now, not when the distress call identifies your vessel.

Safe Boating.

CHANCES ARE

All of us take chances. Some are small and others require that you literally "bet your life". It's those major chances that are likely to result in serious injury, or even death.

We all cheat a bit when we use hazardous products. Remember when you sprayed touch up paint on your engine, down in the bilge? Wow, pretty good high, huh? Unfortunately, your lungs, kidneys and especially your liver, didn't enjoy it at all. And how about that little fiberglass repair you did. The fumes were really heavy. Again, your internal organs suffered. What about washing up with solvents? Lacquer thinner, acetone or MEK work great in dissolving that sticky resin. Too bad it's doing the same to your liver. Remember how your hands turned white when you cleaned them off with lacquer thinner? It defatted your skin; think about the damage it was doing internally!

Let's talk about solvent safety for a minute. You've all heard that alcohol use frequently results in liver disease. That's because alcohol, which is a solvent, attacks the liver and destroys it. So we all hoist a few now and then, and our livers are doing fine, right. Yep, most likely so. But remember, the degree of damage is dependent on three distinct factors, time, total and toxicity.

For example, having a few drinks every weekend spaces out the time, the total amount is low, and the toxicity of drinkable alcohol is relatively low on the solvent scale. Now if you wash your hands with a few ounces of industrial solvent, like methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or methylene chloride twice daily, you're in big trouble. The time factor is much more frequent. the total amount is far greater, and the toxicity is extremely high. In fact, you can lose over 50% of your liver function and may never know it, unless you contract hepatitis or otherwise have a liver function test.

When you work with any material containing solvents, or the solvents themselves, give your liver a break. Work in well ventilated places. Induce ventilation if needed, but not with ordinary fans that may spark and ignite the fumes. In some cases a respirator may be needed. Use suitable gloves and/or a barrier cream for your skin.

Occasional contact with most solvents is not overly harmful, unless you come into contact with a solvent such as phenol. Washing your hands in that will almost surely result in death. So take precautions whenever you use solvents. The life you save may be your own.

Plus. solvents are harmful to the environment, so use and dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way. Never flush them into the water or allow them to collect in your bilges. Most solvents are flammable, increasing the risk of fire, as well as damage to materials they contact that you didn't plan on.

Safe Boating!

FIRST AID

When you are far from shore, and an emergency medical situation arises, how will you handle it? Will you panic, not knowing what to do, or will you be able to provide life saving care until professional help is available? The difference between the two may be a simple first aid course, and a well equipped first aid kit. This applies whether you are a coastal cruiser or plan to circumnavigate the world.

Many injuries are minor. Scrapes, scratches, small lacerations, minor burns and bruises are easily treated. But fractures, deep wounds, severe burns, heart attack, stroke and other serious injuries and illnesses, require immediate medical attention. A trained first aider can stabilize an injury or illness, and provide a window of time for paramedics or other professionals to respond. Often, a victim would die without prompt, proper first aid.

While there are some excellent commercially packaged first aid kits, your boat first aid kit should not be an impulsive purchase off the shelf. You need to put much thought into what you and your crew will need in an emergency.

Medications,for example, need to be fresh and in moisture tight over wrap, like small freezer bags. Be sure there is enough to last for the expected length of your trip, plus additional if your return is delayed. For longer voyages, get an extra copy of your prescription from your doctor, so you can have it filled when visiting a port with a pharmacy. Be aware that you may not be able to have all prescriptions filled at every pharmacy, particularly in sparsely inhabited areas or foreign ports, so carry enough for the trip. Also, don't carry drugs in unlabeled containers. It will be difficult enough to explain to authorities why you have controlled substances on board without a prescription or pharmacy labeled container, but it can be deadly to take the wrong drug.

First aid supplies should be carefully assembled to meet your needs and that of your crew. Consider medical histories, current health problems, allergies and sensitivities. Is anyone allergic to bee or wasp stings? Kits are available to prevent anaphylactic shock for those severely allergic to such stings, but you need to make preparations before you leave port. Splints, rescue breathers, bandages, eye wash solutions and other supplies are readily available. Depending on your voyage, you may also need a suture kit, and other supplies, to perform minor surgical procedures underway. Pain medications may also be needed for emergency use, and can be prescribed by your physician. You should discuss, with your physician, his or her recommendations for specific drugs, preparations and supplies when assembling your medical kit.

A first aid course should be mandatory for all cruisers, and is highly recommended even for the day sailor. Knowing what to do when an emergency strikes is critical to survival. The American Red Cross offers basic and advanced first aid courses. Other organizations offer courses on emergency medical procedures at sea, extremely worthwhile for the long distance cruiser. Several books are available on first aid afloat; obtaining a copy and reading it thoroughly, before you have an emergency, is smart.

I hope you never need to use your first aid kit in an emergency. But, being prepared for any emergency will make your trip more relaxed. Remember, the life you save could be your own.

Safe Boating.