in death. Alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents and was identified in 23 percent of the deaths. Other contributing factors included operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience and excessive speed.61 Rank
Cause of Death
Number of Deaths 439
If an emergency occurs during offshore sailing, it is important to have some means of communication with other vessels or
1
Drowning
2
Trauma
92
3
Cardiac arrest
17
however, reducing the chance of rescue.
4
Carbon monoxide
5
In such cases, survival at sea depends on
5
Hypothermia
4
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security 0
and U.S. Coast Guard6
the shore to alert rescuers. Sometimes it is impossible to establish a connection,
many factors, and any search and rescue must start as soon as possible. Many boaters file “float plans” just as pilots file flight plans. Float plans are not filed with
Table 11. Causes
the Coast Guard or its equivalent in other countries but rather with a friend
of Death Among
or relative so that person knows where to start searching if anything should
U.S. Recreational
happen while a boat is at sea.
Boaters, 2019
Boaters must be well prepared and equipped for a range of medical emergencies. DAN offers a suite of first aid courses and a variety of medical kits appropriate for boating. For offshore sailing, boaters must meet international regulations as well as country-specific requirements at all their ports of call and at their final destination. For more information, call DAN (+1-919-684-2948) or a boating organization.
Contents of a Float Plan • WHERE the boat is launching and its proposed route • WHEN it will leave and return • WHO is aboard When boaters return to their home port, they should notify the person with whom they filed their float plan. 149
