Elisa's Journey - Sea Survival Training

We spent today launching and boarding life rafts to simulate Sea Survival techniques. Full racing gear and inflated life jacket was worn, allowing crew to feel the difference in ability to move. The life jacket is designed to turn you onto your back, so the only swimming technique that worked was backstroke. We towed our “injured crew” across a swimming pool and practiced staying in a group formation.

Climbing into the life raft from the water required allowance for the life jacket – long arms come in handy! One type of life raft had a boarding ramp, which was easy to board in our calm swimming pool. The other life raft had a two foot wall to climb for entry using a rope ladder. Several people needed a boost to get inside. Once settled in the raft, we learned about creating watch systems to maintain the life raft and keep people alive until rescue.

The instructor had over 30 year experience teaching in the Royal Naval Survival School. He provided a knowledgeable and realistic look at safety considerations at sea and types of equipment used.  It was a good experience, and one of those skill sets you hope never to use!