Final answer:
When someone falls overboard, immediately shout to alert others, keep sight of the person, throw a buoyant object, carefully maneuver the boat, perform a controlled rescue, and provide first aid if necessary. Disregard myths such as administering CPR in water and expecting a drowning person to shout for help.
Step-by-step explanation:
If someone on your boat falls overboard, there are several steps you should take to ensure their safety and successful rescue:
- Immediately shout 'Man overboard!' to alert other crew members and passengers.
- Assign someone to keep constant sight of the person in the water.
- Throw a buoyant object overboard to help the person stay afloat and mark their location.
- Stop the boat and maneuver it carefully to approach the person from downwind or down current.
- Perform a controlled rescue to bring the person back on board, ensuring not to injure them in the process.
- Once the person is on board, provide first aid if necessary and seek medical attention promptly.
It's also essential to be aware of common misconceptions:
- Myth: You should administer CPR immediately in the water. Reality: First ensure the person is out of the water, as CPR is not effective when submerged.
- Myth: A drowning person can call for help. Reality: Often, they cannot; they're usually silent and may not be able to wave.