Don’t fall off the boat

This public service announcement comes from Practical Sailor which has been providing advice about the sport since 1974:

We spend a lot of time talking about PFDs, man overboard procedures, jacklines, and tethers. But those are all safety measures intended to help when the primary old-school directive has failed. One hand for the ship, one hand for yourself. It’s far better not to fall off or fall down.

None of the back-up safety measures, including PFDs, beacons, and tethers are certain. Boaters can hit cold water face first (if you trip, head first is most common) and gasp underwater, downing in seconds in spite of wearing a PFD. You could drag in the water and become injured or drown, or simply fail to be recovered in time, either because they couldn’t find you or they couldn’t get you back on the boat.

Perhaps you can handle the boat in all conditions but can your partner, if you fall off? Or perhaps you slipped and hit your head on a bench or fell down the companionway. Your first and primary belay is always your hands and your feet. – Full report