Essentials of Sea Survival

Of the 140 000 people who die each year in water-related incidents worldwide, few ever thought they would be in a survival situation. Most people who go to sea professionally or for recreation believe that catastrophe will never befall them. Essentials of Sea Survival is written for mariners as well as for the health care professionals and rescue personnel who may care for them when disaster strikes. This informative book examines the nature of the threats to survival in the marine environment (eg, hypothermia, drowning, cold water immersion, and dehydration) and the physiological responses of the body to these challenges. The book gives the reader a comprehensive and practical understanding of the dangers confronted by a mariner and knowledge of basic physiology, enabling him or her to formulate an informed survival strategy that will maximize the chances for open-water survival. The authors are eminent physiologists with extensive research backgrounds and experience in the medical aspects of survival at sea. The book is written for both laypeople and readers with a background in medicine and physiology. The terminology is thoroughly explained and facts are often vividly illustrated. For example, an average size man rowing leisurely would exhaust his carbohydrate stores in about 43/4 hours, whereas his fat stores would be sufficient to keep him rowing for about 121/2 days. The many citations of maritime disasters and detailed accounts of survival incidents continually remind the reader that understanding human physiology has practical applications and benefits. Many of the statistics presented emphasize the need to fully appreciate the complexity of survival issues. For example, 55% of open-water immersion deaths in the United Kingdom occur within about 3 meters (10 feet) of a safe refuge, and two thirds of those who die are regarded as good swimmers. These statistics do not suggest the cause of death to be from the protracted period of cooling required for hypothermia. “Rather, they are indicative of some incapacitating response that is rapid in onset and prevents individuals from swimming 3 meters to save their lives.” The authors then go on to describe the initial, short-term, and long-term physiological responses to cold water immersion. After reading this section, even the most competent swimmer will appreciate the nature of cold-water–induced swimming failure and his or her own vulnerability. Each chapter is followed by a summary highlighting salient points, practical recommendations for survival strategies (eg, “Body cooling during immersion can occur five times more quickly than it does in air at the same temperature. In no circumstances are you better off in the water than out of it.”), medical care of victims, and prevention of specific problems through the use of sound safety practices and equipment. The final part of the book addresses survival in open boats and life rafts and the many critical factors influencing survival: abandoning ship, life raft equipment, thermal insulation, protection from the elements, food and water rationing, watch keeping, crew discipline and morale, raft maintenance, signaling, leadership, and treating the illnesses and injuries of the crew. The section on search and rescue discusses the possible mechanisms contributing to a victim's circum-rescue collapse and demise and gives medical guidelines for the initial prehospital treatment of casualties. This book has a wealth of useful information. I strongly recommend it for all those who want to actively improve their chances for survival at sea.