The sea is often a symbol of freedom and longing for those who live inland, but for those who depend on it, it is mysterious and full of unknown dangers. With the improvement of people's living standards, more and more people are full of curiosity and yearning for the sea, and they have taken giant sightseeing cruises to play, or traveled to surrounding coastal countries for vacation.
However, no matter what kind of wind and waves a ship encounters at sea, the most common comfort one hears often comes from the captain, telling passengers not to panic and to stay in a safe cabin or deck. Why didn't the captain and crew let the passengers jump into the sea at will to survive? Do you have to wait until the ship is overturned by the waves? In fact, even in the event of a capsized and sinking ship, the crew usually asks passengers not to jump overboard at will, why is that?
There have been some major shipwrecks in the history of seagoing vessels, some of which have had a staggering number of people. For example, in 1937, the large German Nazi cruise ship Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk at the end of World War II, killing thousands of people. The famous "Titanic" sank in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg, killing more than 1,500 people. In 2014, South Korea's passenger ship Sewol also lost nearly 300 lives in a shipwreck. In 2015, China's passenger liner Oriental Star sank in a storm, causing a large number of **.
While it is true that there is danger when a ship is in distress, it is generally not recommended that passengers jump overboard to survive for the following reasons:
The structure and height of the vessel are not suitable for jumping into the sea: large ships often weigh tens of thousands of tons and reach heights of tens of meters. Jumping into the sea from such a height is extremely dangerous for most people, as they may not be able to control the speed of their fall and thus get injured or sink into the water.
Presence of dangerous creatures in the ocean: There is a wide variety of marine life in the ocean, including sharks, whales, and other large marine life. While these animals do not usually actively attack humans, in an emergency, they may be drawn closer to crowds, increasing the risk to people.
Lack of food and water: If passengers are stranded at sea, they will face severe shortages of food and water. Seawater is not drinkable as it accelerates dehydration, leading to greater health problems.
Temperature issues: Temperatures at sea vary greatly, especially at night, and temperatures can drop dramatically. Without proper thermal equipment, passengers are prone to hypothermia, which can be life-threatening.
When self-rescue at sea, people should remain calm, use life-saving equipment correctly, and follow the instructions of the crew. After diving, don't struggle desperately, but try to keep your body buoyant in the water. If more than one person is in distress together, they should work together to find a chance to survive. Also, avoid shouting loudly at sea to avoid attracting dangerous animals. Holding a catchy belonging, such as a life jacket, can help rescuers find you more easily. Distress at sea is an extreme situation, and the right actions and a calm mind can improve the chances of survival.
In case of distress at sea, in addition to the above precautions, there are some additional self-rescue strategies and precautions:
Stay calm and hopeful: Maintaining a calm and positive mindset is essential for survival. Anxiety and panic only weaken your physical strength and judgment. Believe that you have a chance to survive and look for ways to improve your chances of survival.
Collaborate with others: If someone else is in distress together, it's important to collaborate with them. Sharing resources and support across teams improves everyone's chances of survival. Try to avoid conflict and quarrels, cooperation is key.
Look for floating objects: If a lifeboat or lifebuoy is not available, look for any floating objects, such as wood, clothing, or other floating items, to help you stay on the water. These objects can provide buoyancy and reduce your physical exertion.
Keep your laundry moist: If you're in water, try to keep it moist. Wet clothing provides better warmth than dry clothing because water conducts heat more slowly than air.
Keep breathing: If you find yourself trapped in a sunken cabin, try to stay calm and look for a space where you can breathe. If there is no air**, try to breathe slowly to prolong your oxygen time**.
Lessons learned: After experiencing a distress incident at sea, it is important to reflect and draw lessons learned. Know your shortcomings and what you can improve so that you can better cope with similar situations in the future.
In conclusion, distress at sea is an extreme situation that requires calmness, cooperation and adaptability. Following the instructions of the crew, using life-saving equipment correctly, looking for floating objects, and keeping breathing are key to improving your chances of survival. At the same time, don't give up hope and believe that you have the possibility to survive, this positive mindset will also have a positive impact on survival.