Day FIVE: Coast Guard Auxiliary
The Coast Guard Auxiliary came to my class today to teach us tips on how to not be in the position of our patient of the week. Mr. Murphy teaches us the basics of what his job entails. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. Some basic terminology of a boat is some knowledge everyone will know including the bow, the stern (back end and flat), the port side, mid-ships (middle line of the ship), gunwales, free-board, draft, colored lights to indicate sides, etc. Steel, aluminum, and fiberglass boats are some of the many durable items that make up boats in today’s world. We looked at life-jackets and different types (off-shore remains the best opinion) that can turn you over and not face you down. Off-shore are the ones that are used on cruises as going overboard would last a while. A smaller one (near-shore) is less expensive but not necessarily going to turn you over. You have to wear a lifejacket to board a boat in the auxiliary. It is a law not for a child under 13 to have to wear a lifejacket but we are all hoping for everyone to have to wear one. His life-jacket has a flashing lights (kicking into sos), a knife, Personal locator beacon (register with satellite to be located around the country), 10 feet of line (to tie onto other parties or a boat), a whistle (heard 1000 yards), and signal mirror. They even create an inflatable life-vest as only 16 year olds and up can use. Another type is a high-impact vest that will not come off for up to 50 mph (the only problem is that they aren't as noticeable compared to neon colors). Throwable cushions are necessarily a vest but can be used to throw to a victim to catch (very light and hard to throw). To help with the cushion drifting, you can attach a line. A life-ring is another throwable life-line and is heavier than the cushions. In small boats, they tend to take up a lot of space. A life jacket NEEDS to be readily available. The throwable NEEDS to be immediately available. Lookouts are needed on the water (stern or bow watch). We also learned about courtesy and right-of-ways in boating and what precautions to take when in contact with other boats (horns, calls, lights, etc). A confusion means five or more short blasts of a horn to avoid collisions.
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