What is most likely to cause someone to fall overboard?
It is always good to know how you can pull yourselves out of any danger. Whether you are taking a Boat Ed exam or you just want to be safe during a boat ride, you need to know about all the different safety precautions.
One popular question on the internet is why someone falls overboard and what to do in such a situation.
Falling overboard is a major risk on small boats. But how can you reduce this risk? In this article, I will help you find out.
What Does It Mean To Fall Overboard?
Falling overboard here is mainly referred to as falling from a boat when it is on the move. According to the recreational boat statistics by U.S. Coast Guard, 299 boat accidents happened centering falling overboard. A massive 63% of these accidents ended up in death or fatal injuries.
When a boat is moving, it usually causes swaying movement back and forth, and the people in the boat experience agitation, causing them to lose their balance during the ride. It is extremely against safety protocols to stand up while on a recreational boat ride. Since you already struggle to have balance while sitting, standing up reduces that balance to zero.
Usually, people don’t stand up when riding small recreational boats. However, most of the cases are caused due to carelessness or under the influence of alcohol.
What Is Most Likely To Cause Someone To Fall Overboard?
The most prominent reason for a passenger falling overboard is due to standing when the boat is moving. But why would someone stand when the boat is moving and swaying the passenger back and forth? Here are a few common reasons –
1. Fishing
Anglers need to stand up when they are fishing. Standing up makes it easier for them to handle their rod and fight the fish when it resists. Unfortunately, standing during fishing may also cause someone to fall overboard. That is why anglers are recommended to wear certified PFDs when they are fishing.
2.Alcohol/Intoxication
Although it may sound silly, alcohol is among the topmost reasons for people fall overboard when they are sailing. Some people ride on boats when they are under the influence of alcohol or intoxicated by drugs.
These influences force them to make a poor judgements. An intoxicated person has more chance of standing up than a sober person. As a result, they fall overboard. So, what is most likely to cause someone to fall overboard? You can ask that for alcohol and drugs. It’s better to ditch them before getting onboard.
3.Carelessness
Another cause for falling overboard is carelessness. Boat riders may want to stand up carelessly to take photos and videos for social media. Sometimes, they also stand up just to show off or impress others. Standing up during a small boat ride is considered careless since it makes you lose your balance. Also, it is one of many reasons for falling overboard.
What Is The Immediate Thing To Do When Someone Falls Overboard?
When you notice that someone fell overboard, it’s critical to remain calm. You don’t want to get into a panic, waste time, or worsen the situation. When you realize you have a man overboard situation, the first thing you need to do is slow the boat down and turn off the engine.
This will permit you to focus on the casualty so that protecting them is simpler. Additionally, it extraordinarily decreases the gamble of the individual incidentally being harmed by the boat on the off chance that it’s actually moving and the motor is running.
You must yell “MAN OVERBOARD!” if you are just another passenger and are not actually in charge of the boat. What’s more, keep your eyes on the individual in the water. It’s easy to lose track of someone in the water, so point them out so the captain and other passengers can find them.
This is doubly evident on the off chance that the individual isn’t wearing a PFD, despite the fact that they ought to be. In the water, a life jacket is a useful visual locator. However, if one is not present, you must make every effort to keep an eye on the individual.
What To Do When Someone Falls Overboard?
It is possible to save someone who has fallen overboard. But, the actions need to be taken immediately. You should also know if the person has fallen into warm water or cold water. Here are a few important steps to help you rescue someone who has fallen overboard.
Ask For Help
When you notice that someone has fallen overboard, the first thing you have to do is to ask other passengers and occupants for help. If the situation is critical to handle, you should call U.S. Coast Guard for help.
Keep An Eye Of The Victim
When someone falls overboard, you should keep an eye on them and track their movement. Usually, they will try to swim and go to safety. However, when the wave is rough, they will struggle. Also, if the water is cold, you need to make sure that they are alert and awake at all costs. Most importantly, you should keep track of their location at all times.
Throw A Life Ring Or Jacket
When someone falls overboard, you can help them by throwing in a life ring or jacket. The life rings are Type IV PFD colored in bright shades. You can also help them with a reaching pole or offer them something to grab onto. It will help you get them out of the water.
Turn Back Or Stop The Boat
You should slow down the boat and turn back for the victim when someone falls overboard. But, some boats are big enough and cannot be moved easily. Using a smaller boat or life raft can help you save the victim. Having a life raft or small boat as a precaution can help prevent propeller injury while reaching close to the victim in an attempt to save them.
Pull The Victim Back In The Boat
If all the conditions are met, you are ready to pull the person back on the boat. However, make sure not to put all the weight of the boat on one side of the boat. Doing so can put you at an even larger risk.
How To Avoid Falling Overboard When The Boat Is Moving?
Having proper precautions minimize the risk of an accident happening. Here are some of the precautions you can take before sailing off.
Wearing PFDs or lifejackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard should be mandatory for passengers.
The driver of the boats needs an ignition safety switch that acts as a kill switch. It can come in handy during such events.
The passengers should not sit in places that are not meant for seating.
Passengers should also not sit on the pedestal seating when the boat is on the move.
A boat should not be overcrowded with too many passengers.
All the passengers and gears should be well-balanced.
Passengers must not stand up or move around the deck of the boat during the journey.
If journeying on a smaller boat, do not let the passengers lean themselves beyond the gunwales.
Slow down the boat during a turn.
Also, stay updated with recent weather reports and travel accordingly.
Rules To Follow Onboard
The same rule applies to all boats to ensure the safety of passengers. This is because you should always have at least one hand on the boat when standing or moving around the boat.
Here are some of the rules that you must follow:
Numerous toe rails and lifelines, as well as handholds scattered throughout the boat for you to grab and hold on to, ensure your safety. You run the risk of going overboard if you disregard this rule and are careless while aboard the ship.
You should also avoid going onto the deck when the weather is windy or when the boat is caught in any other bad weather to ensure your safety onboard.
Assuming you should go at hand, we recommend wearing a saddle that is secured to jack lines and continuously keeping one hand on the boat.
Decks can be risky, particularly on more modest boats, for example, boats when the boat is moving.
To stay away from undesirable and dangerous circumstances, forever know about your environmental elements, remain as quiet as could be expected and remain sober while exploring a deck.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Here are some important questions I have answered. These might be helpful for situations such as falling overboard.
1. Do People Survive Falling Off A Cruise Ship?
Ans: The chances of survival when someone falls from a cruise ship are very minimum. In most cases, the chances of survival are reduced to 85% to 90%, which causes death.
2. What To Do If You Fall Overboard?
Ans: If you fall overboard during a boat cruise, the first thing you should do is stay calm and think positively. Also, it is better for you to stay afloat than try to swim. That way, you will save more energy. Also, cooperate with the rescuers when they try to help you.
3. Can You Survive If You Fell Overboard?
Ans: Yes, the chances of survival become high if you are already wearing a life vest. But, if you try to float and stay close to the boat after the fall, it will be easier for your companions to save you.
Bottom Line
Most of the cases of falling overboard are caused by someone standing when the boat is on the move. You should always try not to stand up or move around the boat during a journey. As long as you and the rest of the passengers are maintaining all the precautions, no accidents should happen.
However, if anything were to happen, you can follow these precautions to help them. I think this article was helpful. You can share your feedback in the comment.
Shahnawaz is a passionate and professional Content writer. He loves to read, write, draw and share his knowledge in different niches like Technology, Cryptocurrency, Travel,Social Media, Social Media Marketing, and Healthcare.
We’ll go on jeep safaris to explore wildlife closely. But if you want a true wildlife experience that enriches you physically, mentally, and even spiritually, then you must try bush walks.
Bush walk takes you on a walking safari to national parks that are havens for unique flora and fauna. These let you immerse into a healthier and happier community.
In this blog, we're going to tell you how a walking safari can change your life.
But First, What Is A Walking Safari?
A walking safari takes you on less-traveled paths, bringing you the most authentic safari experience. On your journey, you’ll experience many things that are easy to miss on a vehicle.
Instead of simply gazing at animals and vegetation, you can examine these wildlife entities closely. You get the opportunity to track the footprints of animals on the ground. Watch lovely beetles roll the dung and hear birds singing melodically.
If you happen to be in South Africa, you're in luck. The land has a lot to offer for bushwalkers. You typically start in the morning.
Some walking safari camps also run in the afternoon. But if you’re after an incredible experience, then head out at the crack of dawn. At this time of the day, animals are most active, and the crisp morning air simply touches your soul.
Walking becomes even easier during the African dry winter, mainly because of low temperatures and humidity. Also, dry vegetation increases your chance of spotting animals. So, it’s the best time to go on bush walks in South Africa.
Top Reasons To Book A Bush Walk:
While there are many reasons to book a bush walk, key benefits are:
1. Connect with Nature
You don't need to confide in a vehicle. Instead, you can walk on foot and have an intimate experience with the wild. You’ll get to see lots of fascinating animals, soaking your eyes in their incredible beauty.
You can see, smell and feel things around you. It’s not possible to experience this from a distance. All in all, a safari on foot lets you connect with nature on different levels.
2. See Finer Details
While exploring the African bush on a walking safari, you'll be able to discover every single detail of your surroundings. These include plants, animals, birds, insects, and even some wonderful landscapes.
So, you'll be able to slowly absorb your surroundings so that you can easily drive straight passed while driving a vehicle.
3. Learn a New Skill
In addition, you’ll learn a new skill, that is, tracking. Your tour guide to bush walk will teach you to read tracks in the sand and successfully follow animals.
This wonderful skill will improve your overall wildlife experience in the bush. You may spot wild giraffes, wild elephants, and hippos playing in the woods.
By going on a walking safari in African woods or national parks, you can expect a lot of immersive experiences. You can travel solo, with your family, friends, or in a group of other travelers.
So, book a bush walk tour in South Africa.
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It’s already fall, and the Rocky Mountain National Park Trails are adorned with the Aspen leaves’ glistening gold. Also, the dark green of the pine trees in the backdrop complements the dark red and orange of Alpine shrubs.
Hiking through the park trails is the best way to explore the beauty of the USA National Park to the fullest. Further, the hiking trails come with varying difficulty levels. Some are also great for enjoying a walk with your furry friends.
Moreover, the trails are varied in their destinations. Some trails in the park will take you to beautiful waterfalls, and some will end at breathtaking summits and immersive lakes.
Do you also want to hike and experience the park at its best? Here is a brief overview.
Hiking Through The Rocky Mountain National Park Trails: A Rocky Mountain National Park Guide
Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles of hiking trails. Further, you will find a delightful activity in the park irrespective of your abilities.
However, you will need proper traction devices and a Rocky Mountain National Park map to remain safe during hiking. Moreover, you will need proper footwear with a treaded sole as the routes can be snowy and slippery.
With proper safety measures, it’s time for you to hit the waterfalls, summit, and lake trails.
Best Rocky Mountain National Park Trails To Waterfalls
Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 31 waterfalls. Do you want to witness water cascading through rocky terrains? Hit any of the following trails in the park.
1. Granite Falls Trail
Trail Head: Green Mountain Trailhead parking area
Trail Distance: 5.2 miles one-way
Difficulty Level: Moderate
You will pass through lush green meadows while hiking to Granite Falls Trail. However, the terrain is marshy here, and you must be careful as you explore the path.
Further, lodgepole pine, aspen, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir greet you throughout the trail. The elevation gain is 1,046 feet in the trail, and you must proceed carefully.
2. Chasm Falls Trail
Trail Head: Old Fall River Road or Winter Closure Gate
Trail Distance: 2 Miles (Round Trip)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
The Chasm Falls Trail will take you to a cascading beauty. With an elevation of just 640 feet, this trail is moderate to hike.
Further, if the hiking trail from Old Fall River Road is closed, you can take the trail from Winter Closure Gate. Then, you will have to walk or bike for 2.2 Miles.
3. Adam Falls Trail
Trail Head: East Inlet
Trail Distance: 0.6 Miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Easy
With an elevation of just 79 feet, the Adam Falls Trail is one of the easiest ones in the park. Adam Falls is small but excels in its quaint beauty.
If you want to be more adventurous, you can walk past the waterfall. A beautiful glacier valley will emerge before your eyes, and you will love the exuberance of wildflowers.
4. Cascade Falls Trail
Trail Head: North Inlet
Trail Distance: 3.4 Miles one-way
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous (Expect changes in the difficulty level throughout the route)
You will love the gurgling sound of the North Inlet stream water, and as it thrashes the pure granite stone, it’s a beauty to behold. This waterfall is 100 feet tall and forms a cascade, as the name rightly suggests.
You will meet the most adorable marmots As you continue your hike and pass through the open meadow. They are frequent to the winding river through the lodgepole pine forest. Further, you can stop here to fish river trout and brown trout.
Best Rocky Mountain National Park Trails To Lakes
Great National Park has 156 lakes. Some of these lakes have dense trout populations. Further, areas near these lakes are great for spotting wildlife. So, let’s know about the lake hiking trails that lead us to these beautiful lakes.
1. Bear Lake Trail
Trail Head: Bear Lake
Trail Distance: 0.7 Mile
Difficulty Level: Easy
With mountains of the Continental Divide in the backdrop, Bear Lake Trail is one of the best locations in the park for watching the sunset. You will love the beauty of Hallett Peak, Continental Divide, and an Alpine lake here.
Bear Lake is the epicenter of many hiking trails. You can start your hike to Alberta Falls, Flattop Mountain, Emerald Lake, and more from here.
2. Sprague Lake Loop Trail
Trail Head: Estes Park
Trail Distance: 0.7 Miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Easy
Sprague Lake Loop Trail is the most accessible trail in the park. Wheelchairs are allowed here. So, patients with disabilities can also explore this trail.
You can stop at the benches and many lookouts throughout the trail to reflect on the beauty of nature. Further, you can see the mountain peaks along the Continental Divide.
Moreover, Sprague Lake is an amazing destination for spotting wildlife.
3. Mills Lake Trail
Trail Head: Glacier Gorge
Trail Distance - 5 Miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
With a 700-foot elevation, the Mills Lake trail will take you through a gorge carved by glaciers, streambeds, and waterfalls.
The beautiful Mills Lake gets its name from Enos Mills, the founder of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Further, if you want to continue your hiking pursuit, you can walk to Black Lake, and that will be an additional 1.7-mile hike.
4. Gem Lake Trail
Trail Head: Lumpy Ridge Trailhead
Trail Distance: 3.4 Miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
The expansive field of granite domes houses the Gem Lake. It is indeed a hidden gem and one of the biggest attractions in the area, along with Lumpy Ridge.
Gem Lake is shallow, and it has water of melted snow and rainfall.
5. Dream Lake Trail
Trail Head: Bear Lake
Trail Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
You must go for a steady ascent from Bear Lake to reach Dream Lake. The trail comes with an elevation change of 830 feet. Don’t miss the following highlights of this hiking route.
Nymph Lake
Aspen Groves
Ponderosa Pine
The Nymph Lake looks most beautiful in summer, with pond lilies in full bloom. Further, you can use Dream Lake as the base and trek to the amazing Emerald Lake or Lake Haiyaha.
Best Rocky Mountain National Park Trails To Summits
Despite the elevation gain of around 1000-3000 feet, the hiking trails to summits are very popular among visitors. The wonderful vistas from the mountain tops make the effort worth it.
1. Deer Mountain Trail
Trail Head: Deer Ridge Jct
Trail Distance: 3.1 miles one-way
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
The Deer Mountain comes with an elevation of 10,006 feet. Further, as you hike and reach the summit, you will enjoy the most beautiful view of Upper Beaver Meadows, Longs Peak, Estes Park, and Moraine Park.
Be careful about the weather forecast before you start your journey on the trail.
2. Flattop Mountain Trail
Trail Head: Bear Lake Trailhead
Trail Distance: 8.8 miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
The trail from Bear Lake is the best way to reach Flattop Mountain, and this route is one of the trickiest ones in the park. However, if you cannot access the trail from Bear Lake, you can try the route to Flattop via Tonahutu Trail.
Further, as you reach the Flattop Mountain summit, you will enjoy the beauty of Hallet Peak, Dream Lake, and Tyndall Glacier.
3. Chasm Lake And Longs Peak Trail
Trail Head: Old Fall River Road or Winter Closure Gate
Trail Distance: 4.2 miles one-way
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Chasm Lake, just beneath the Longs Peak, offers a spectacular view. You will come across Tundra meadows and Alpine tundra through the trail. Further, animals like pikas and marmots are common here.
As you reach the Chasm Junction and find an outhouse, you can hike along a wall to see Columbine Falls and Peacock Pool Gorge.
After this point, the terrain becomes rocky, and you will need cairns to reach Cirque, the lake's location.
Mistakes You Must Avoid When Hiking Through Trails Of Rocky Mountain National Park
Making a rushed trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park is the biggest mistake you can make. You can face severe issues like dehydration and acute mountain sickness here if you don’t allow your body to acclimatize or work on your physical and mental endurance.
So, carry enough water or hydrating solutions and start your training under proper guidance at least one month before your Rocky Mountain hike.
Further, don’t think that you will always make it to the trails in your usual track pants or leggings. You have to wear hiking clothes as on many days, you will have no escape from the afternoon rain.
Rocky Mountains National Park At A Glance
Location: Colorado, USA
Established: 26 January 1915
Highest Point: Longs Peak
Area: 415 Square Miles
How to Reach: Take a drive or shuttle from the Denver International Airport.
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One of the most enjoyable jobs on the planet is being a tour guide. If you love to travel and enjoy sharing that love with others, as well as the knowledge you have gleaned about the destinations you are guiding them to, then you should consider building a career based on that passion, and become a tour guide!
There are lots of options out there, walking guides for the city sights, cruise and bus tour guides, and museum or special attraction guides. Finding work is fairly easy as there is always a demand, and when that tour operator payment gateway sends you your reward you will feel great knowing you earned it doing something that brought a smile to people's faces!
The best tour guides have a certain set of skills in place that suit their profession, here are some of the most important:
Knowledge –
A tour guide needs to know a lot about where they are taking their group, and what they are showing them. They should have an in-depth knowledge of the area and its attractions that they can share with their group in order to give them the best experience possible. They are always prepared to answer unexpected questions, and ready to give pertinent insights and recommendations. A knowledgeable tour guide is one the tourist never forgets, and they will recommend you to their friends.
Communication –
t's important for tour guides to have excellent communication skills, they should be able to speak clearly and informatively, with proper pronunciation in order to facilitate easy-to-understand directions and information sharing, and to avoid any potential misunderstandings. They should also have a loud enough voice to carry across a crowd without the aid of a microphone or bullhorn and be able to command the attention of many people at the same time.
Charisma –
Being a tour guide is very much a people-oriented profession, one must be able to share their passion for the experiences they are guiding people to, share information in an informative yet fun and engaging manner, and build a cheerful rapport with their group. A successful tour guide has enough charisma to bring repeat customers back, not just to see the sights again, but for the pleasure of their company!
Understanding And Empathy –
People sometimes experience difficulties, even when they are out on a pleasant excursion. A tour guide must be sensitive to the individual's needs, and be able to handle any problems their charge is having with sincerity, kindness, and grace, as well as be accommodating as possible. The best tour guides are quite simply put, nice people!
Flexibility -
Things don't always go as planned, and in the event of a course change, the tour guide has to be able to think on their feet and make adjustments on the fly. Always have a Plan B in place!
Check out the Tourism Australia website for more useful information for both guides and tourists. Good luck with your tour guide career
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