Going Over the Side

especially true of persons whose stations are in the lower part of the ship. However, a hit from a torpedo or bomb or a collision with another ship may flood the compartments normally used or knock out a ladder. Often, some measure to control flooding taken by the damage control party closes off the normal method of travel. The only answer to this situation is to know your ship. Small ships don’t present much of a problem because they have only a few routes you can follow. However, large ships are another matter. Aboard an aircraft carrier or cruiser, learning all the passageways, doors, and ladders takes a long time. During leisure time, learn escape routes from various below-deck sections to the weather decks. Ask the individuals who work in those sections the best way to get topside; then follow that route. The time to experiment is before an emergency occurs, not during one. Going Over the Side As in everything else, there is a right way and a wrong way to abandon ship. Whenever possible, go over the side fully clothed. Shoes and clothing may hinder you while swimming; but in lifeboats, a covering of any kind offers protection against the effects of sun and salt water. In a cold climate, wear a watch cap to keep your head warm. Take along a pair of gloves and extra clothes if you can. Even in tropical waters you may feel cool at night because you can do little to keep warm. Normally, you should leave from whichever side of the ship is lower in the water; but, if the propellers are turning, leave from the bow. Leave by the windward side whenever possible. Leaving from the lee side might protect you from a stiff wind, but the same wind causes the ship to drift down on you, often faster than you can swim. Also, if oil is on the water, you can clear the slick sooner by swimming into the wind. Never dive, and do not jump unless you have to. Use a ladder, cargo net, line, or fire hose. If you must jump, do so feet first, legs together, and body erect. (First, check the water so you will not land on debris or on other personnel.) Except when jumping into flames, be sure your life preserver is fastened securely, including the leg straps. If you are wearing a vest-type preserver, place one hand firmly on the opposite shoulder to keep the preserver from riding up sharply when you hit the water (in a long drop, the force of impact might hurt your chin or neck). Hold your nose with your other hand. If you are wearing an inflatable preserver, inflate it after you have entered the water. In the Water Once you are in the water, your immediate concern is to clear the ship as quickly as possible. Before you rest, you should try to be 150 to 200 yards away from the ship. When the ship goes down, it may create a strong whirlpool effect, which might draw you down with the ship if you are too close. Another advantage of distance is that you will be safer if an explosion occurs. After you are safely away from the ship, conserve your energy. Don’t splash about or shout unnecessarily. If any danger of underwater explosions exists, float or swim on your back with your head and chest as far out of the water as possible. Help your shipmates all you can, and try to stay in groups (fig. 15-1). Get on a lifeboat, of course, as soon as you can. In the meantime, grab anything floatable that comes by, or just relax in the water. Above all, remain calm! SWIMMING AND FLOATING.—Check the chart shown below. It tells you the requirements you must meet to qualify as a third class, second class, and first class swimmer. Meeting the requirements for swimmer third class won’t help you if you have to swim ½ mile to a lifeboat. You can see that by qualifying for swimmer second class, you’d have a better chance to survive. Better yet, qualifying for swimmer first class gives you the best chance for survival. 15-2 Student Notes: Figure 15-1.—Joining life preservers.