boating emergency Archives - Safe Skipper Boating & Safety Afloat Apps for phones & tablets

First Aid Afloat – Jellyfish Stings

by Safe Skipper | Emergencies, First Aid at Sea, Preparation

Jellyfish stings are a common occurrence when boating or swimming in many parts of the world. While most stings are not serious, some can cause severe pain or even life-threatening allergic reactions. Knowing how to provide first aid afloat is crucial. Immediate...

Always have an emergency ditch bag ready to go…

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Emergencies, Preparation, Yacht ownership

An emergency ditch bag (also known as a grab bag, abandon ship bag, or go-bag) is a crucial piece of safety equipment for any vessel venturing out to sea. It’s a waterproof and buoyant bag packed with essential survival gear that can be quickly grabbed if you...

Distress flares – which flare, how & when to use?

by Safe Skipper | Emergencies, Preparation

How to use distress flares at sea To effectively use distress flares at sea, you need to understand the different types, their purpose, and the correct deployment procedures. Distress flares should only be used when you are in a situation of grave and imminent danger...

Crew Overboard Drill – Updated

by Stuart Batley | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Preparation

How to respond to crew overboard A Man Overboard (MOB) drill is a crucial safety procedure that every boater should practice regularly. It simulates a real MOB situation, allowing the crew to practice their response and increase the chances of a successful rescue....

Fixing position at sea using traditional methods

by Simon Jollands | Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation

Following on from previous posts concerning traditional navigation methods, this post looks at some traditional methods used for fixing a vessel’s position at sea, within sight of land. Electronic fixes using chart plotters are very straightforward to record,...