BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS 57


A concern that an instructor or safety boat operator has to be aware of is getting so involved in a rescue that he or she forgets about the rest of the class/fleet. If there is more than one safety boat conducting an on-water session, there should be minimal impact on class supervision. However, if you are short-handed, you will be faced with a difficult decision of determining a response that minimizes the risk to the safety and well-being of everyone. Your options will vary depending on whether self-rescue dinghies or keelboats are involved, weather conditions, and experience level of class, and may include: calling for another safety boat; putting your assistant on a student’s boat to supervise the class while you deal with the rescue; signaling the rest of the fleet to execute a control maneuver (e.g., safety position, capsize, or reach back and forth to windward of you) until help arrives or the rescue is completed. You must evaluate and analyze the situation and exercise your best judgment as to what is the safest and most reasonable response.


COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS/SAILORS Use the basic visual signals to determine whether students/sailors are okay (thumbs up or the big “0” with thumb and finger) or in trouble (waves arms above head -- international distress signal), and tell them to come closer, use the safety position, etc. Speak clearly and calmly. Position the safety boat so the engine noise is not in the line of communication and shift into neutral, or turn off the engine.


COMPREHENSION OF RESCUE AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES


Be thoroughly familiar with your program’s emergency and rescue procedures for: E Rescue of a person in water (conscious, injured, or unconscious)


E Assisting a capsized or swamped boat E Rescue of a boat aground E Retrieval of damaged boats E Severe weather (squalls, thunderstorms, or fog) emergencies, as well as the communication procedures involving shore base, paramedics, and applicable authorities (police, harbormaster, Coast Guard, etc.). Most programs conduct periodic training and review sessions for their instructors and rescue personnel to ensure the safety and effectiveness of carrying out the recommended procedures.


DECISION-MAKING QUESTIONS If you have an


assistant, do you put him or her on one of the sailboats to supervise the class while you run an injured student ashore or do you keep him or her in the safety boat to care for the student? Do you run the person in or call for another safety boat? If immediate help were available, what would you do? If it is a life-threatening situation and you must run a student to shore and can’t get any assistance to supervise the class, what should you tell your class to do?


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