Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with boat capsize, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your boat has overturned or is sinking and people are in the water.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Count everyone. Stay with boat. Life jackets on. Call 112.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Boat filling with water or already overturned.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People in water without life jackets.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Current carrying the group away from land.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Capsized boats often float and provide something to hold onto. Separating in current makes rescue harder.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hypothermia and exhaustion kill before drowning in many boat accidents.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shout roll call — is anyone missing under the boat?
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Grab floating objects — coolers, oars, anything buoyant.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Climb onto the hull if possible — improves visibility and reduces heat loss.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Link arms or hold a shared rope to stay together.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay together, stay afloat, stay visible. Do not separate to swim for help unless trained and close to shore.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or marine emergency. Give GPS coordinates or last known landmark.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say number of people in water and whether life jackets are on.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All capsized boat survivors need medical check for hypothermia and inhalation injury.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT swim away alone for help unless shore is very close and calm.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT dive under a capsized hull without training — entrapment risk.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT remove clothes in cold water — they trap insulating water layer.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Strong swimmers should swim to shore to get help after capsize
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Staying with the boat keeps the group visible and conserves energy. Swimming in open water is farther than it looks.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child drowning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child was found in water, is struggling in water, or was just pulled out and is not responding normally.
Dam breach warning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You receive warning that a dam may fail, gates are opening, or a wall of water is coming downstream.
Flood rising water
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Water is rising around your home, road, or vehicle — from rain, river overflow, or urban flooding.
Reach/throw rescue
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone is in water and needs help. You are on shore and must rescue them without entering the water unless trained.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Signal rescue: whistle blasts, bright clothing waved, phone call to 112 with GPS if available.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If someone is missing, note last seen location — do not dive under hull untrained.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Missing persons require professional dive rescue — report immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Exhaustion, separation, and multiple drownings.