Four pieces of emergency equipment that every yacht should have and every passenger should be able to locate. Includes and EPIRB or GPIRB, and AED, a VHF-FM radio, and a good first aid kit.
VHF-FM Radio
Everyone on board should know where the radio is in case of emergency, and they should know how to turn it on and transmit a “MAYDAY“. Basic instructions, including the name of the vessel, how to determine location, and the best channel on which to transmit (channel 16, 156.8) should be posted boldly near the radio. Each potential user should know that they must release the transmit button for at least 10 seconds after each transmission to allow time for a response before repeating their distress call. It's absolutely necessary that each person be instructed not to use the radio for any other purpose unless they are licensed to do so.
EPIRB or GPIRB
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (which must be registered) will transmit your location automatically if it becomes submerged when the vessel is in distress. Every Yacht should have one, and guests should know how to manually activate it. A GPIRB serves the same function but uses an internal global positioning device to indicate location, rather than the Doppler radar information that would be available from the EPIRB. The information from this beacon is relayed by satellite to the nearest search and rescue station. This is all that is necessary to activate a coast guard and civilian search for you. Of course any other items that you can use to indicate your location will be helpful. Rescue Steamers, Glow-sticks, and flares can all be helpful items.
An Automatic Defibrillator and a CPR Chart.
The AED (automated electric defibrillator) can save your life, or the life of one of your guests if a cardiac arrest occurs off-shore. The emergency appliance is smaller than a brief case and once it is opened and turned on it will begin to give instructions. You will have to apply the stick-on pads to the chest of the individual; then press the “analyze” button. From there the equipment will either tell you to stand back while a shock is applied, or it will tell you to continue CPR. That's why you need an updated CPR chart. The newer protocols for CPR are much easier that the previous ones. For adults you will need to provide 2 breaths and then 30 compressions to the chest. The chart will remind you how to position the victim so that the air gets into the lungs.
A First Aid kit rated for greater than 24 hours.
Every Yacht should have a professionally packaged first aid kit that includes a basic first aid text book. This kit will include hot and cold packs, an assortment of dressings, splinting supplies, antibiotics and some over the counter medications. Even minor emergencies like a burn or diarrhea can become serious if you are a day away from help without the proper supplies for treatment. Remember, if you have a radio and one licensed user you can get advice without sending a distress signal.
Many unexpected problems can occur while yachting for pleasure. These few items can help to assure your peace of mind, knowing that you are well prepared for the occasional mishap.
