Lost at Sea

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There’s nothing romantic about being a castaway. Even Tom Hanks was reduced to wailing over the loss of a volleyball, his only companion.

Surviving at sea is a grueling challenge, one that grows more demanding and draining by the day. So whatever you can do to reduce your risks and hold on to your strength could make a huge difference in determining whether or not you ever see land again.

With luck, you’ll have the use of a life raft, which is more stable than a dinghy. If not, and you have to swim, grab anything that will help you float. Obviously, a life jacket is your best bet, but failing that, look for plastic containers used for food or fuel or buoys or even a piece of wood. The key is to find ways to save your energy. Swimming furiously is a sure way to exhaust yourself.

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to try to stay near where you abandoned ship or head to where you think may be land. If you were able to send out a distress signal or if you’re near shipping lanes, try to stay put. Only paddle for shore if you have some idea of where you’re going. Remember, you want to save your energy. Another dark reality: A lot of people drown near the beach because of rip currents or high surf. So don’t frantically head for what you think is land.

If you have a raft, try to take along as much warm and protective clothing as you can handle — wool and polypropylene and anything that’s windproof or waterproof. Once in the raft, protect yourself from the wind, using clothing or a tarp. And stay as dry as you can. Even in a raft the combination of wind and wet clothes could cause hypothermia.
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