POOL TRAINING

RESCUE AND SURVIVAL AT SEA

Prepared by
NORDIANA BTE ISMAIL
R B KENNEDY ENIS
SHAHIFFUL BAHTIAR BIN MAT ISA

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN MARINE TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA PERLIS

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO TITLE PAGE

Table of Contents i

List of Figures ii

1 Introduction 1

2 Survival at Sea

2.1 Pool Safety 2

2.2 Life Jacket 5

2.3 HELP Position 7

2.4 CON Position 8

2.5 PERSON RAFTING Position 9

2.6 Free Fall Jumping From Spring Board 9

2.7 Life Raft 11

3 Search and Rescue 21

4 Conclusion 24

5 References 24

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 LIST OF FIGURES

NO TITLE PAGE

1 Buoy Lines 3

2 Reaching Pole 4

3 Buoyant Throwing 4

4 Sound Signalling Device 4

5 Life Jacket 5

6 HELP Position 8

7 CON Position 8

8 PERSON RAFTING Position 9

9 Free Fall Jumping From Spring Board 10

10 Life Raft 11

11 Lift Raft Container 12

12 Throwing-in and Yanking on the Operating Cord 15

13 Righting of Life Raft 16

14 “Crocodile Towing” Technique 16

15 Boarding Lift Raft 17

16 Items on Life Raft 19

17 Search and Rescure Procedures 22

18 Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) 22

19 Search and Rescue Regions (SRR) 23

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1.0 Introduction

Survival is the “preservation of one’s own life under conditions of immediate peril.”
To preserve one’s own life at sea requires ability to live through extreme conditions of
emotional and physical shock, and hardship for an indefinite period of time. When
faced with an open water survival situation, it is important to remember that
environmental obstacles are as much mental as physical. Before accumulating
information on the use and operation of survival systems, it is important to first
understand the psychological barriers to the will to survive that must be overcome.

The most predominant psychological barrier to survival is fear; fear of the unknown,
fear of discomfort, and fear of one’s own weakness. Fear of the environment in an
open water situation leads us to fear our own chances of confidence in our ability may
weaken our will to survive. Studies of survivors and their experiences show that the
successful survival of any situation depends on several factors. The survivors must:

 Be mentally and spiritually prepared for the possibility;

 Be in good physical condition;

 Have the proper equipment available and know how to use it;

 Be properly dressed for any survival situation; and

 Be thoroughly familiar with vessel egress procedures.

The key of these experiences is developing a survivor’s “attitude”. In other words, to

develop those traits and characteristics that will enhance one’s change of survival.

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1.0 Survival at Sea

1.1 Pool Safety

2.1.1 Pool Safety Rules

Every pool shall develop and apply a set of rules to guide safe use of
the pool and its equipment. These rules are intended to reasonably
control the risks associated with the use of the pool while also
facilitating the enjoyment of the aquatic recreation experience. Safety
rules should be designed to prevent users from injuring themselves or
others or to prevent damage to the pool and equipment. The rules
should be documented and posted. Homeowners should carefully
analyse the facility and equipment to identify risks which may be
inherent in their design and construction.

Samples of pool safety rules include:

 Walk, don’t run.

 Always swim with a buddy.

 Jump, don’t dive into shallow water.

 Play safe. Don’t push others into the pool.

 Always enter from the poolside or diving board. Never dive or

jump into the water from any other structure.

 Swim only in daylight unless the pool is properly lighted.

 Prevent anyone who is intoxicated from using the pool.

Recognize the risks associated with drinking alcohol and
swimming and supervising others. Drink responsibly.

 Directly supervise people using diving boards and slides.

Allow only one person at a time on this equipment.

 Be Sun Smart and protect yourself from the hazards of the sun.

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2.1.2 Pool Safety Equipments

All pool equipment shall be checked at the beginning of the season to

ensure that is in good condition. Some of this equipment may not be
required for a whirlpool because of its small size.

Ensure the pool has the following emergency equipment available and
appropriately located for use in an emergency.

 Buoy line: Position the buoy line in shallow water at least 30 cm

or 1 ft. from the slope where the pool drops off toward the deep
end.

Figure 1: Buoy line

 Reaching pole: At least 3 metres in length. Ideally the pole

should have a large hook that can be used to pull a person to
safety. It is very effective for rescuing a non-swimmer. One just
needs to lay down, extend the pool, “hook” the person and pull
them to the side.

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 Figure 2: Reaching pole

 Buoyant throwing assist with a buoyant line attached: The

length of the line should be at least the width of the pool.

Figure 3: Buoyant throwing

 Sound signalling device: For example, a loud whistle or

personal alarm.

Figure 3: Sound signalling device

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  First aid kit: that can be used for basic first aid. It is
recommended that barrier devices be provided to prevent
disease transmission. This includes pocket masks and vinyl
gloves.

 Telephone: Locate telephone at poolside.

1.2 Life Jacket

2.2.1 Introduction of Life Jacket

A life jacket is an approved personal flotation device which helps to

maintain floatation and warmth of the user.

Figure 4: Life jacket

Under the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

1974, was stated as following:

Chapter III - Life-saving appliances and

arrangements

The Chapter includes requirements for life-saving

appliances and arrangements, including requirements
for life boats, rescue boats and life jackets according to
type of ship.

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 The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code
gives specific technical requirements for LSAs and is
mandatory under Regulation 34, which states that all
life-saving appliances and arrangements shall comply
with the applicable requirements of the LSA Code.

An adult life jacket shall be so constructed that:

 shall not sustain burning or continue melting after being totally

enveloped in a fire for a period of 2 seconds.

 at least 75% of persons, who are completely unfamiliar with the

lifejacket, can correctly don it within a period of one min
without assistance, guidance or prior demonstration;

 after demonstration, all persons can correctly don it within a

period of one minute without assistance;

 it is clearly capable of being worn in only one way or, as far as

is practicable, cannot be donned incorrectly;

 it is comfortable to wear;

 it allows the wearer to jump from a height of at least 4.5 m into

the water without injury and without dislodging or damaging the
lifejacket;

 shall have buoyancy which is not reduced by more than 5% after

24h submersion in fresh water;

 shall be fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a cord.

An adult lifejacket shall have sufficient buoyancy and stability in calm

fresh water to:
 1 lift the mouth of an exhausted or unconscious person not less
than 120 mm clear of the water with the body inclined
backwards at an angle of not less than 20° from the vertical
position;

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  2 turn the body of an unconscious person in the water from any
position to one where the mouth is clear of the water in not
more than 5 s.
 shall allow the person wearing it to swim a short distance and to
board survival craft.

2.2.2 Donning the Life Jacket

Following are the steps of donning of life jacket:

a. Put your arms through the holes.

b. Pull the jacket up and around your shoulders.

c. Put the neck straps through the D rings on each side of the
jacket and tie them in a bowknot.

d. Pull the chest strap and the waist straps tight, and then tie with
bowknots.

e. Take the slack out of the belly strap and snap it together.

f. Reach down and back between your legs and grab the left-leg
strap and pull it up between your legs.

g. Put the end through the D rings and pull tight.

h. Repeat the procedure for the right-leg straps.

i. Practice putting on and securing your life jacket until you are
able to don and secure it within 2 minutes.

1.3 HELP Position

In the HELP position, it is a survival technique use to conserve heat in cold

water. The HELP position is difficult to do unless wearing a life jacket.
"HELP" stands for Heat Escape Lessening Posture. This posture can increase
the chances of survival by reducing the amount of body surface area that is
directly exposed to cold water. In this position, the chest and knees were in
contact with each other rather than being in contact with cold water.

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 Figure 5: HELP position

1.4 CON Position

The CON position is a circle shape of formation by members of surviving

when stranded at sea. The purpose of this technique is to attract a helicopter
view at sea. The techniques are hand-in-hand of each other’s and leg propel on
the water.

Figure 6: CON position

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1.5 PERSON RAFTING Position

The purpose of PERSON RAFTING position is to pushing or towing an

injured survivor at sea. It is a technique where the survivors must work
together to create a person-raft by foot flanked between two conflicting
between each other while flanked hand side with other survivor.

Figure 7: PERSON RAFTING position

1.6 Free Fall Jumping From Spring Board

One of the importance tasks in a survival at sea training is free fall jumping
from spring board. This technique is required courage and spirit from each of
the trainee to do the jumping.

First of all, make sure that the life jacket is well secured. If it is not well
secured, it could be hurt to the jumper’s head after his jump. Then get down to
a height of less than 30 feet if available; below 15 feet is ideal. If the jumpers
is jump from height than 30 feet, it can hurt to the jumpers (depends on the
height from which the jumping height and the angle at which the body hits the
water). If worn, remove false teeth, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. Also remove
any sharp objects from your pockets. Get in the jump position and do the
following:

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 a. Stand on the gunwale and check the water for debris.

b. Check to see if the life jacket is tied and all the straps are secured.

c. Hold your nose and cover your mouth with your left hand.

d. Cross over your left hand with your right hand and hold the life jacket
collar securely.

e. Hold your elbows into your side as much as possible.

f. Keep head and eyes straight ahead. Do not look down.

g. Take one step out using either foot.

h. Bring your trailing leg up behind your leading leg so that they cross at
the ankles. This will protect you if you should land on any floating
debris.

Figure 8: Free fall jumping from spring board

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1.7 Life Raft

1.7.1 Introduction of life raft

Life raft is an emergency raft used in case of serious problems to the

parent vessel, such as sinking.

Figure 9: Life raft (25 persons)

Following are the requirements of life raft under SOLAS convention:

 Every life raft shall be so constructed as to be capable of

withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all sea conditions.

 The life raft shall be so constructed that when it is dropped into

the water from a height of 18 m, the life raft and its equipment
will operate satisfactorily. If the life raft is to be stowed at a
height of more than 18 m above the waterline in the lightest
seagoing condition, it shall be of a type which has been
satisfactorily drop-tested from at least that height.

 The floating life raft shall be capable of withstanding repeated

jumps on to it from a height of at least 4.5 m above its floor
both with and without the canopy erected.

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  The life raft and its fittings shall be so constructed as to enable
it to be towed at a speed of 3 knots in calm water when loaded
with its full complement of persons and equipment and with
one of its sea-anchors streamed.

 The life raft shall have a canopy to protect the occupants from
exposure which is automatically set in place when the life raft
is launched and waterborne.

 No life raft shall be approved which has a carrying capacity of

less than six persons unless the life raft is to be launched by an
approved launching appliance or is not required to be stowed in
a position providing for easy side-to-side transfer, the total
mass of the life raft, its container and its equipment shall not be
more than 185 kg.

 The life raft shall be fitted with an efficient painter of length

equal to not less than 10 m plus the distance from the stowed
position to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 15
m whichever is the greater.

Figure 10: Life raft container

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In addition to the above requirements, a life raft for use with an
approved launching appliance shall:

 when the life raft is loaded with its full complement of persons
and equipment, be capable of withstanding a lateral impact
against the ship's side at an impact velocity of not less than 3.5
m/s and also a drop into the water from a height of not less than
3 m without damage that will affect its function;

 be provided with means for bringing the life raft alongside the
embarkation deck and holding it securely during embarkation.

The life raft shall be packed in a container that is:

 so constructed as to withstand hard wear under conditions

encountered at sea;

 of sufficient inherent buoyancy, when packed with the life raft

and its equipment, to pull the painter from within and to operate
the inflation mechanism should the ship sink;

 as far as practicable watertight, except for drain holes in the

container bottom.

The container shall be marked with:

 maker's name or trade mark;

 serial number;

 name of approving authority and the number of persons it is

permitted to carry;

 SOLAS;

 type of emergency pack enclosed;

 date when last serviced;

 length of painter;

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  maximum permitted height of stowage above waterline
(depending on drop-test height and length of painter);

 launching instructions.

1.7.2 Launching of Life Raft

Following are the steps for launching of life raft manually:

 Step 1: Pull open the hook at the hydrostatic release to release

the tie down straps.

 Step 2: Secure the operating cord (painter/lanyard) to the cleat.

Make sure that the operating cord is free of tangles.

 Step 3: DO NOT REMOVE the bands around the container.

They will automatically break open when the operating cord is
pulled.

 Step 4: With two or more crew members, throw the life raft in
its container overboard

 Step 5: With the life raft and container in the water, pull on the
operating cord 10-20). The bands on the container will break
and the life raft will automatically inflate.

 Step 6: Leave the operating cord attached to the cleat aboard

the ship.

 Step 7: Board the life raft as soon as possible (Figure 10-21).

 Step 8: Remove the knife from the pocket on the canopy.

 Step 9: Cut the operating cord to free the life raft from the
sinking ship.

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  Step 10: Read the survival manuals that are found inside the
raft. These will give you complete instructions on what to do
while you are in the life raft.

Figure 11: Throwing-in of life raft and yanking on the operating cord

2.7.3 Overturn of Life Raft

A capsized raft can be righted (turned right side up) before the inverted
(upside down) canopy fills with seawater, one person can easily right it
using the following procedure:

 Swim to the side marked "RIGHT HERE", if it is not marked,

go to the side where the CO 2 cylinder is located. Reach up and
grab the righting strap. Start pulling yourself up onto the raft. It
may help to kick your feet out as if swimming, if this does not
work, tries putting your feet or knees into the external lifelines
to help you pull yourself up on the raft. Some rafts may right
while you are climbing onto them. Others are more difficult to
right.

Note: A righting strap is fitted on the underside of the raft to

right the raft if it capsizes or inflates upside down. The righting
strap runs the full width of the oval or round raft.

 Stand on the very edge, where the CO 2 cylinder is located. Lean

back with all your weight while pulling on the righting strap. If
the canopy is clear of water, the raft will begin to follow you. If
the raft is large, it will land on your head unless you bend your
knees and spring backwards just as the raft begins to free fall.

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 Figure 12: Righting of life raft

2.7.4 Boarding the Life Raft

 Step 1: make a human “crocodile towing” technique and move

in a line of group to lift raft.

Figure 13: “Crocodile towing” technique

 Step 2: after reach at the life raft’s boarding location, the most
in-front survivor need to clamp with the life raft.

 Step 3: the survivor that in the most behind need to move onto a
life raft by linking the other survivors one-by-one. Then, with
the help of survivor who are in-front, the survivor who are most
behind just know is pull-up into the life raft.
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  Steps 4: repeat step 3 until all the survivors up into life raft.

Figure 14: Boarding life raft

2.7.5 In The Life Raft

After up into the life raft, all survivors shall do as following:

 Put off individual life jacket and tight together and throwing
outside the raft.

 Check the physical condition of all on board. Give first aid if

necessary. Take seasickness pills if available. The best way to
take these pills is to place them under the tongue and let them
dissolve. There are also suppositories or injections against
seasickness. Vomiting, whether from seasickness or other
causes, increases the danger of dehydration.

 Try to salvage all floating equipment - rations; canteens,

thermos jugs, and other containers; clothing; seat cushions;
parachutes; and anything else that will be useful to you. Secure
the salvaged items in or to your raft. Make sure the items have
no sharp edges that can puncture the raft.

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 If there are other rafts, lash the rafts together so they are about
7.5 meters apart. Be ready to draw them closer together if you
see or hear an aircraft. It is easier for an aircrew to spot rafts
that are close together rather than scattered.

 Remember, rescue at sea is a cooperative effort. Use all

available visual or electronic signaling devices to signal and
make contact with rescuers. For example, raise a flag or
reflecting material on an oar as high as possible to attract
attention.

 Locate the emergency radio and get it into operation. Operating

instructions are on it. Use the emergency transceiver only when
friendly aircraft are likely to be in the area.

 Have other signaling devices ready for instant use. If you are in
enemy territory, avoid using a signaling device that will alert
the enemy. However, if your situation is desperate, you may
have to signal the enemy for rescue if you are to survive.

 Check the raft for inflation, leaks, and points of possible

chafing. Make sure the main buoyancy chambers are firm (well
rounded) but not overly tight. Check inflation regularly. Air
expands with heat; therefore, on hot days, release some air and
add air when the weather cools.

 Decontaminate the raft of all fuel. Petroleum will weaken its

surfaces and break down its glued joints.

 Throw out the sea anchor, or improvise a drag from the raft's
case, bailing bucket, or a roll of clothing. A sea anchor helps
you stay close to your ditching site, making it easier for
searchers to find you if you have relayed your location.
Without a sea anchor, your raft may drift over 160 kilometers
in a day, making it much harder to find you. You can adjust the

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 sea anchor to act as a drag to slow down the rate of travel with
the current, or as a means to travel with the current. You make
this adjustment by opening or closing the sea anchor's apex.
When open, the sea anchor acts as a drag that keeps you in the
general area. When closed, it forms a pocket for the current to
strike and propels the raft in the current's direction.

2.7.6 Life Raft Capacity

The lift raft capacity is designed with a safety factor of 50% which
mean for life raft that designed to accommodate 25 persons is actually
can be accommodate for 37 persons.

2.7.7 Items on Life Raft

Figure 15: Items on life raft

Following are general equipments on life raft:

 Paddles

 Sea anchor with line

 Bailer

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  Sponge

 Bellows/pump

 Instructions for survival

 Table of life-saving signals

 Water bags

 Leak stoppers

 SOLAS fishing kit

 SOLAS/USCG Thermal protective aids (TPA’s)

 Drinking cup

 Safety tin opener

 Repair kit

 Rescue quoit & line

 Buoyant safety knife

 Scissors

 Sunscreen

 Survival rations:

 SOLAS/USCG Food rations

 USCG/SOLAS Drinking water

Following are medical equipments on life raft:

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  Seasickness pills

 Seasickness bags

 SOLAS First aid kit

Following are signaling equipments on life raft:

 Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

 SOLAS/USCG Hand flares

 SOLAS/USCG Signal mirror

 SOLAS/USCG Parachute rockets

 SOLAS/USCG Smoke signals

 Whistle

 SOLAS flashlight

 Extra batteries & bulb

Note: Do not throw any body liquids (blood, urine, dropping or etc)
into the sea because it can be able to attract a shark.

2.7.8 Management of Survival

Following are the management of survival that should be practice by

survivors if stranded at sea:

a. Position

b. Organize

c. Location

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 d. Comfort

Following are the steps of survival management:

a. Appoint a leader.

b. Appoint each members responsibilities.

c. Treat the injured members.

d. Locate all safety equipments.

e. Activate the EPIRB.

2.0 Search and Rescue (SAR)

The International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) was
adopted by an international conference held in Hamburg, Germany, in April 1979. As
its title implies, this Convention is designed to improve existing arrangements and
provide a framework for carrying out search and rescue operations following
accidents at sea.

Following are the steps of search and rescue procedures that stated in IAMSAR:

a. receives, acknowledge and relay notifications of distress;

b. co-ordinate SAR response; and

c. conduct SAR operations.

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2.1
R
E
IV
C
O
P
S
N
A
Figure 16: Search and Rescue (SAR) procedures

Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RCC)

The RCC is an operational facility responsible for promoting efficient

organization of SAR services and for co-ordinating the conduct of SAR
operations within Search and Rescue Region (SRR).


Figure 16: Rescue co-ordination center (RCC)

Following are the requirements of RCC:

24-hour availability

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  Trained persons

 Persons with a working knowledge of the English language

 Charts which apply to the SRR

 Means of plotting

 Ability to receive distress alerts

 Immediate communications

2.2 Search and Rescue Regions (SRR)

An SRR is an area of defined dimensions associated with an RCC within

which SAR services are provided.

Figure 17: Search and Rescue Regions (SRR)

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3.0 Conclusion

On the whole, the survival at sea training is very important and compulsory for those
who involve in maritime and aviation industries. Those people have to practice the
techniques of survival at sea for saving their own life when at emergency such as
HELP position, CON position and etc.

Besides that, the survival training is not complete without the knowledge of survival
management where it is the keys of successful for saving life at sea. Position,
organizing, location and comfort are the basic procedures that survivors have to know
and learn it.

The participants will be provide with an information of search and rescue (SAR), how
their responses and actions to saving life at sea.

4.0 References

International Maritime Organization, 2008. IAMSAR Manual: Organization and

Management (Volume 1). ICAO Publication Company. Canada.

International Convention on Aviation and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR),

2008.

D. J. House, 2004. Seamanship Techniques: Shipboard and Marine Operations (Third

Edition). Elsevier Publication Company. United Kingdom.

International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979.

International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) – Life Saving Appliances

Code, 1974.

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