Knowing the steps for surviving a shipwreck will hardly be of importance to most people. You can do some retrospection now: have you thought of surviving a shipwreck? People very rarely think of this, which is one of the most ironic things ever. After all, Titanic’s story is still told and performed in operas and dramas, so why the nonchalance?
6 Steps For Surviving A Shipwreck
Thinking of it, I’ve observed that most do not pay attention to shipwreck survival because it is seen as a fatal accident, so fatal that they don’t want to think of what to do should it happen — as if the denial will stop it from happening. It is just like teaching survival skills to children. Few parents are cool with the thoughts of being unavailable to protect their children when SHTF and so, the custom is to prepare as hard as they can while hoping that they will always be at hand to protect their kids.
Quite understandable, but hardly advisable. However, do you know what’s even more ironic about this? It’s that surviving a shipwreck isn’t at all as scary or impossible as you think. So, in a way, one could say you’ve been scared of an exaggerated notion. As you will agree at the end of this article, surviving a shipwreck is remarkably easy. Just follow the instructions below, and you’re safely off a sunk ship.
Be Ready
As all survival lessons, surviving a shipwreck starts from home. You have to be ready to brave the rough eaters at any time. This does not necessarily mean that you stand close to the borders, like an overlooking flag. What it means is that you’re ready to get off the ship whenever necessary. This would require carrying a small survival bag on your sailing journey. This bag can be big, but remember that you’ll be swimming with it should SHTF and a heavy choice might weigh you down, such that you’d either have to let it go or sink with it. This bag should contain all you need, including a life vest in particular.
Stay Informed
When aboard a ship, there is little to do, save a visit to the cafeteria for some caffeine or a tour around it for no reason. Here’s something better to do with that time: get yourself updated on the entire running of the ship. Become familiar with the ship so that you can follow the right route in case it starts to capsize. Study the ship manual or guide to find out information, such as:
- The nearest exit point to your room or wherever you’ll be. If you can, study the exit points to assess how crowded and rowdy each would be if a disaster ever strikes. That way, you know the point to go for first, depending on your position when SHTF.
- The location of the first-aid kit. You may have yours, but it may be challenging to open your bag and get it out in unstable times.
- The locations of the life vests and rafts. Yes, yours could be inside your bag, but the ship’s may be the easiest to find then. Plus, what’s wrong with having a spare?
Remain Calm
Calmness is mandatory in every survival move. As soon as you lose your head, you’re done for. And, oh boy, can a sinking ship be unsettling! There will be nearly a thousand voices screaming and crying left and right, so keeping your cool may be hard, but you have to. Else, you’ll be screaming and vomiting in no time as well. If you’ve already followed the previous instructions, you’d have your life vest on by now and heading to the life raft. Listen to the crew and follow their leads. At this point, you are carrying nothing apart from your bug-out bag.
Jump Up Top & Swim To A Distance
If you aren’t able to board the life raft, your only option is to jump into the angry waters. Don’t be scared; it isn’t as bad as it looks. It’s like a screaming wife; she won’t hurt you. However, you have to make the jump properly. Do not jump where others are doing so because troubles are not far from such spots. Look for a spot far away from everyone and dive.
Note that it is not recommended to jump from the lower parts of the ship as someone else may land on you, thus injuring or knocking you out. Go to the higher sections, dive in, and immediately start swimming away from the ship. Get to any piece of debris you can find and hold onto it quickly. Be watchful as you swim, though; some swimmers may try to grab onto you for leverage, and this will only cause you two to sink.
Signal The Rescue Crew
This is another use of your bug-out bag. It should contain fireworks, flares, a signal mirror, a waterproof flashlight, and whatever else can be used to send SOS, including a 2-way radio or cell phone.
Either of these will be useful to notify the rescuers or other survivalists — whichever it attracts is better than being alone. Note that if help does not respond and you feel you’re losing consciousness, lit all your flares and attach to a part of your bag you’ll be having around you. Also, keep the radio or cell phone on.
Swim To An Island
If you don’t pass out in the water, then the best option is to swim to an island. That’s the best place to wait for help. At least, you don’t have to worry about drowning anymore. Here, you can make more signal signs and wait for help. This is now the time to get your first-aid kit out of your bug-out bag and treat whatever wound you may have suffered.
Concluding The Steps For Surviving A Shipwreck
Throughout the steps we looked at above, you’d have deduced that swimming is a very critical skill to have before boarding a ship. The inability to swim may nullify the steps for surviving a shipwreck. Still, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a ship adventure if you can’t swim.
Just be prepared, informed, remain calm, and ensure you get to the life raft on time. Know that there’s no way to breathe underwater; SpongeBob is pretty misleading.