The archives:
http://www.uqac.uquebec.ca/PleinAir/water1.htm
A natural water filter can be manufactured using a container such as a
soft-drink can, some sphagnum moss, peat, charcoal, lingonberry leaves,
and small pebbles.
Start by removing the top of the can, and perforate the bottom with
several small holes. Place a layer (2-3 cm thick) of sphagnum moss, and
on top of that a layer of torn up lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea,
optional) leaves, a layer of peat and charcoal (app. 1/ to 2/3 of the
cans volume), and on top of that a layer of small pebbles. Rinse with a
few volumes of water before using.
With modern cruise-ships and ferries you have the situation that large
numbers of people are out on the oceans. Accidents with these ships are
infrequent, but do happen. What would you do if you are involved in
one? There's lots of things that you can do to maximize your chances of
survival.
What to do in a sea survival situation
- Get as much clothes on a you think you had time to, ideally finishing off with
a good rain-suit. A waterproof flashlight is nice, but not necessary.
If you for some strange reason had brought a good life jacket you should get
that one as well (the one supplied by most ships are better than
nothing, but not good). A nice woolen hat (balaclava?) is nice, and you
should
rather go for several layers of wool socks and tevas than hiking boots.
Steal some candy bars from the store if you pass it (calories for keeping
warm).
- Get to deck. You did check the escape route as soon as you
got on board?
- Assuming it was time to jump you would get to a suitable spot and then
take a step straight out into space and then grab your life jacket for
dear life (having two styrofoam blocks hit your chin at high speed is
reportedly Not Nice). Get away from the ship to avoid being hit by other
jumpers and make for a life-raft. Remember that it's quite a jump from
most modern ships to the water (20-30 meters is not an unreasonable
expectation). Some ships have more or less sensible slide
systems, which it may pay to use rather than doing the free fall thingy.
- Assuming the more or less standard life rafts (the inflatable "tipis"
in various sizes) you should release the drift anchor and then climb
aboard. The handy "webbing rope-ladder" inside the raft makes this easier
since it is something to haul yourself up by. It can be released from
its attachment point inside the raft, but this is counterproductive
until you have gotten everyone aboard. There are instructions printed on
the inside, and also an instructional booklet somewhere.
If the raft is turned upside down you need to right it. Climb up, grab the
handles and pull it up the right way (i.e. lean back and let your
weight do the work).
If you are helping others climb aboard the easiest thing is to "bob
them", by lifting them up vertical, pushing them down and then letting
flotation assist you. Able folks can climb themselves while you pull to
assist.
It will be warmer if you have a full complement of people, so misguided
egoism is a non-functional survival strategy. There is some form of rope
with a weight on to throw to others to help them get to you. On the
Viking brand 6 man rafts it was in the middle of the floor. The raft will be
crowded, but this is OK, since you are warmer that way.
When everyone is aboard (at the latest) you need to cut the rope
attaching you to the ship. There is a knife (probably attached to the raft
outside the door) for this purpose. It is not sharp, nor pointed, for
rather obvious reasons involving large inflated objects, but will do the
job. Think serrated metal butter-knife and you get the idea.
- There should be a light in the top of the raft, which may need to be
connected or turned on by hand or, if you are lucky, have gone on automatically.
- You need to do two things: get the water out and inflate the floor.
There is a sponge (probably packed in a compressed state) and a fabric
tube in the floor for getting the water out. It is a part-time
occupation to keep the raft bailed, so keep at it. There is a pump
somewhere (a netting shelf in the ones I've seen), and valves on both
the floor and the other air compartments. Get them nice and firm if
they aren't. There are safety release valves, so there is no reason to
be afraid of rupturing it from over-inflation.
- Some advocate taking your life-vest off at this point and sit on it (isolation). In
some sort of turns everybody needs to take their clothes off and wring
then as dry as possible. Only put on boots loosely, and also loosen
watch-bands etc. While people is changing you can make sure than no one
is injured, and take the appropriate action if there are injuries.
- There is a lot of goodies in the raft, some of which are even useful
(the contents varies madly depending on where the ship is going, the
mosquito lotion might not be much use while at sea...), but first aid
and food should be there. Don't eat all the food immediately, since you
might need it later. Use the signal flares when they make sense, not a
random.
- There is a door on the raft, which need to be opened on a regular
basis to avoid getting the humidity up to the "occasional rain-showers"
state. This will also let cold air in, but is better than the
alternative, which is a moderate rainfall.
- Organize people in a sensible manner. Sing-alongs are optional. Keep
track of everyones status. Hypothermia is the big one here; do you need
to share clothes around? Extra food for someone?
If you need to urinate there is two options: the fabric tube in the
floor and over the side. Unless it is dead calm the tube is the only
option. Girls can use the sponge and then wring it out. Bigger needs are
more troublesome, but can be managed (since they need to be). If you
are one of the unfortunate souls who cannot urinate in front of an
audience, life will not be fun.
Don't drink salt or brackish water! There may be equipment for
desaliating water aboard. Read the manual on how to use it.
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