Marine Emergency Survival Guide
Quick Summary
Marine emergencies present unique challenges with water covering 75% of Earth's surface. Whether from aircraft emergencies, boat disasters, or unexpected water entry, survival depends on proper techniques, available equipment, and mental preparedness. This guide covers immediate response, life raft procedures, and extended survival techniques.
Why This Matters
Water emergencies can happen to anyone:
- Air travelers over oceans or large lakes
- Boat operators facing storms, collisions, or mechanical failures
- Coastal residents during hurricanes or tsunamis
- Offshore workers on rigs or vessels
Unlike land emergencies, marine situations offer limited resources and unique hazards like hypothermia, dehydration from salt water, and rescue challenges.
Immediate Response to Water Emergency
If Your Aircraft Goes Down
Take these actions immediately:
- Get clear and upwind of the aircraft but stay nearby until it sinks
- Avoid fuel-covered water - it may ignite
- Search for other survivors in the immediate area
- Signal your location if rescue aircraft are present
Water Rescue Techniques
Best method: Throw a life preserver attached to a line
Second option: Send a swimmer with flotation device and safety line
Last resort: Unattached swimmer rescue (highest risk)
Panic-stricken people in water have extraordinary strength. Always approach from behind and maintain your own flotation.
Staying Afloat Without Equipment
Basic Floating Techniques
Back float (least energy):
- Lie on your back with arms and legs spread
- Arch your back slightly
- Control breathing - your face stays above water
- Can even sleep briefly in this position
Face-down float (rough water):
- Float face-down, lifting head to breathe
- More stable in waves
- Conserves energy when back float isn't possible
Swimming Strokes for Survival
- Dog paddle: Best when clothed or wearing life jacket
- Breaststroke: Ideal for long distances and swimming through debris
- Sidestroke: Good relief stroke using minimal energy
- Backstroke: Excellent for muscle recovery
Surviving Burning Oil on Water
If surface oil is burning:
- Remove shoes and life preserver (keep uninflated preserver)
- Cover nose, mouth, eyes and go underwater quickly
- Swim underwater as far as possible before surfacing
- Push burning oil away with hands before surfacing
- Face downwind when breathing
- Repeat until clear of flames
Life Raft Procedures
The Five A's (First Actions)
Remember these priorities when first boarding any raft:
- Air - Check all chambers are inflated, valves closed
- Assistance - Help others board safely
- Anchor - Deploy sea anchor properly
- Accessory bag - Locate emergency supplies
- Assessment - Evaluate situation and maintain positive attitude
Initial Raft Setup
Immediate actions:
- Check everyone's physical condition, administer first aid
- Take seasickness medication if available (under tongue works fastest)
- Salvage all floating equipment safely
- Link multiple rafts 25 feet (7.5m) apart
- Locate and activate emergency radio
- Deploy sea anchor to stay near ditching site
Raft maintenance:
- Check inflation regularly (air expands with heat)
- Remove all fuel contamination immediately
- Rig spray shields and windbreaks
- Keep raft balanced with heaviest person in center
- Assign duties: lookouts, radio operators, water collectors
Cold Water Considerations
Hypothermia timeline in water:
| Water Temperature | Survival Time |
|---|---|
| 70-60°F (21-16°C) | 12 hours |
| 60-50°F (16-10°C) | 6 hours |
| 50-40°F (10-4°C) | 1 hour |
| Below 40°F (4°C) | Less than 1 hour |
HELP Position: With life preserver, assume Heat Escaping Lessening Posture:
- Pull knees to chest (fetal position)
- Keep arms close to body
- Minimize movement to conserve heat
In the raft:
- Put on antiexposure suit or extra clothing
- Rig windbreak and canopy
- Keep raft floor dry and insulated
- Huddle together for warmth
- Give extra rations to those suffering from cold exposure
Hot Weather Considerations
- Rig sunshade with ventilation space
- Cover all exposed skin to prevent sunburn
- Use sunscreen on eyelids, ears, under chin
- Dampen clothes during hottest part of day
- Rest in shade whenever possible
Water Procurement at Sea
Water Rationing
Critical rule: If you have no water, don't eat
With limited water:
- Stay shaded from direct sun and water reflection
- Dampen clothes during hot periods
- Rest and avoid exertion
- Set daily ration based on supplies and party size
Rainwater Collection
- Keep tarpaulin ready for sudden showers
- Wash salt-encrusted collection surfaces with seawater first
- Drink as much as possible when rain occurs
- Collect dew at night using cloth or sponge
- Small amounts of seawater mixed with rain are generally safe
Reverse Osmosis Desalinator (MROD)
Modern rafts include manual desalinators:
- Survivor 35: Makes 35 gallons per 24 hours
- Survivor 06: Makes 6 gallons per 24 hours
- Operation: 2-second pump cycle (1 second up, 1 down)
- Maintenance: Purge for 2 minutes before collecting water
Never use MROD if water contains fuel, oil, or hydraulic fluid. Petroleum destroys the filter permanently.
Alternative Water Sources
From fish: Drink fluid along spine and in eyes of large fish only
Sea ice (Arctic): Use old, bluish ice with rounded corners - nearly salt-free
Never drink: Seawater, urine, or alcohol
Food Procurement
Ocean Fish Guidelines
Generally safe: Fish caught out of sight of land
Potentially dangerous: Fish near shores, atolls, and reefs
Always avoid: Fish with pale gills, sunken eyes, flabby flesh, or bad odor
Fish Handling
Safety:
- Never handle fishing line with bare hands
- Don't wrap line around hands or tie to raft
- Wear gloves when handling fish
- Watch for sharp fins and gill covers
Preparation:
- Gut and bleed fish immediately in warm weather
- Cut into thin strips and dry for preservation
- Well-dried fish lasts several days
- Use spoiled fish as bait, never eat
Edible parts: Heart, blood, intestinal wall, liver, and partly digested fish in stomach
Shark as Food
- Preparation: Bleed immediately, soak in multiple water changes
- Cooking: Can be eaten raw, dried, or cooked
- Exception: Never eat Greenland shark (high vitamin A)
- Avoid: All shark livers (toxic vitamin A levels)
Modern Equipment Recommendations
Personal Flotation
Budget Option Type II Life Jacket - $25-40
- Coast Guard approved
- Good for calm waters
- Compact storage
Best Value ⭐ Automatic Inflatable PFD - $120-180
- Inflates on water contact
- Comfortable for extended wear
- Suitable for all water activities
Premium Option Survival Suit with Built-in PFD - $300-500
- Full-body thermal protection
- Integrated flotation
- Professional-grade for extreme conditions
Emergency Communication
EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
- Automatically signals satellites
- GPS location transmission
- 406 MHz frequency monitored globally
- Starting at $250 for basic models
Safety Considerations
Seek immediate medical attention for:
- Signs of severe hypothermia (confusion, shivering stops)
- Persistent vomiting preventing water retention
- Signs of severe dehydration
- Any serious injury requiring professional care
- Never tie yourself permanently to equipment in rough water
- Always maintain at least one method of signaling rescue
- Keep emergency supplies dry and accessible
- Monitor raft condition continuously
When to Seek Rescue
Signal immediately if:
- Anyone shows severe medical distress
- Raft is failing and cannot be repaired
- You're drifting into shipping lanes or toward hazards
- Weather conditions are deteriorating rapidly
Consider position vs. movement:
-
Stay put if rescue knows your location
-
Travel toward rescue if you can navigate safely
-
Always deploy sea anchor when stationary
-
Medical: Emergency First Aid at Sea
Adapted from Field Manual FM-3-05-70
Last updated: January 18, 2026