Crucial Survival Rules to Remember on Cruise Travels

Wearing life jackets for yourself and young ones, and avoiding sitting all on one side of the boat... are essential principles to engrave in your memory.

Travel Tips: Key Survival Strategies for Cruise Journeys

The capsizing and sinking of a cruise ship on the Han River on June 4th has raised concerns among many tourists fond of cruising and enjoying river and sea views. Here are some important rules to remember and strictly follow when using waterborne transport, to maximize your survival chances in case of a capsize.

Before Boarding

Remember a crucial survival rule: always put on a life jacket the moment you step onto the boat. This is considered the most critical factor in determining survival in the water. So, don't hesitate or be too lazy to wear one, even if no one else around you is wearing theirs. If life jackets are in short supply, prioritize children. When traveling internationally, you can ask for a “life vest” to request a life jacket.

Another point to consider is that ships on rivers and seas experience forces from above and below, making them prone to rocking and instability. Therefore, always ensure that passengers distribute evenly across the boat and avoid vigorous activities like running or jumping that could destabilize it.

When the Ship Begins to Sink

If water starts to flood the ship, the bottom will fill up first. However, if the water ingress is slow, the ship's pumps can expel it. But if the inflow is too rapid and voluminous for the pumps to manage, the ship will sink.

- Leave all unnecessary items behind, check your life jacket. Quickly wear your life jacket and assist children and women nearby.

- Remain calm in every situation. Staying calm is crucial for making decisions about what to do next as the ship or boat gradually sinks.

- Quickly locate and move to a life raft. As the ship begins to sink, launch the lifeboat, putting in some essential items like food and clothing. Once the lifeboat touches water, board one at a time without pushing or shoving to avoid capsizing due to imbalance.

- Immediately swim away from the sinking area to avoid being pulled into a whirlpool. If you're on a large passenger ship, wait for rescue boats by staying near the sinking site.

- If there are multiple life rafts, try to connect them with ropes. Forming a larger group makes it easier to withstand big waves and increases visibility to rescuers.

What to Do if There Are No Life Rafts

If you can't get to a life raft, jump into the water

First, secure a lifebuoy or any floating object. Hold the buoy firmly against your chest before hitting the water to ensure you land on top of it.

- Jump in the direction of the wind

When jumping into the water, aim for a vertical descent and remember to jump with the wind at your back. Avoid jumping against the wind or from the side of the ship that is tilting or sinking.

- Swim away yet remain near the sinking zone for rescue. Look around for anything useful like food or water. Curl up to minimize contact with the sea and conserve body heat.

- Stay calm, reassure yourself that you will be okay, whether you're floating in the water or in a life raft. Observe and calm those around you to prevent panic.

- Loosen any tight clothing, layer up if you're cold, as you might be on the life raft for a while.

- Navigation

Try to stay calm and orient yourself. Look for landmarks or observe sea birds; their direction of flight often leads to land.

- Utilize wind and wave directions

Swimming behind and close to the waves is the most energy-efficient method. Use the direction of the wind and waves to aid your swim to shore.

- Keep away from oil spills

Should you encounter an oil spill from the wreckage, it's crucial to distance yourself from the area due to the high risk of fires.

Signal for help

If you spot a plane or another ship, signal for help using flares, smoke, brightly colored clothing, or any loud sounds you can make.

Preserve your strength for survival by rationing food and water wisely. Collect rainwater using any plastic bags you have; these are crucial for survival. Remember, water is vital for survival, but never drink seawater as it leads to dehydration. Seaweed found in the sea can be a nutritious food source.

Source: Ngôi Sao

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide