Water Survival

A successful aircraft ditching is dependent on three primary factors.  These are listed in order of importance:

1.  Sea conditions and wind

2.  Type of aircraft

3. Skill, technique, and preparedness of the pilot.

Preflight Preparations

1. Be sure to list survival equipment carried.  List any night signaling devices as some areas don't search at night unless they know you have signaling equipment. 

2. Always carry a 406 mhz personal locator beacon with GPS capabilities.  They show your location to within a 100 yards.  The older 121 mhz ELTs only pinpoint your location to a couple of square miles.  They are being phased out, and because of the high false alarm rate some areas don't respond rapidly. Even if you are drifting in a raft and miles from where you went down the 406 mhz beacons transmit your current location..  For less than $550.00 they are a bargain.

3. Always wear your life preserver uninflated when flying.  If you have an emergency inflight you need to spend your time trying to resolve the problem, communicating, etc.  I is not easy or quick to unwrap a life preserver, put it on, and fasten the straps when sitting in a small plane.

4. You can't use equipment you leave in the plane.  Make a survival kit that fits in a fanny pack, or a fishing vest with lots of pockets.

Prior To Ditching

1.  Have radio communications and identify your aircraft

2.  State your present position or location

3.  State the nature of your emergency

4.  State your intentions

5.  Prop open a door/window so that pressure won't prevent you from exiting

When Flying Alone

Make sure your emergency equipment is accessible.  You must have a working knowledge of the survival equipment on your aircraft.

When Flying with a Crew

Your pre-flight briefing should cover over-water emergencies.  Everyone must know what to do in the event of an emergency.  If put in a survival situation, everyone on board must be given productive assignments - helping one another;  assisting the injured;  dividing supplies, navigating, signaling, etc.  Getting rescue takes effort and determination.

Procedures when Ditching

1.  Make radio communications and implement proper emergency procedures.

2.  If possible aim for an airway or shipping lane to improve your chances of being spotted.

3.  Make sure life vest is on properly but DO NOT inflate until you are OUT of the aircraft.

The waist belt should fit snug but not restrictive.  A toggle line allows you to attach yourself to the raft and other survivors.  Be sure you know how to manually inflate your vest as well as know how to use a CO2 cartridge.  Vests are designed to keep the face from submerging even if the wearer is unconscious or incapacitated.

4.  If you don't have a life raft, know the proper body position to take in the water.

Your head and neck should be above the water with your arms resting across your chest.  Your legs should be crossed at the ankles.  The object is to save energy and keep warm.

5.  If you have a raft, moor it to the aircraft, then inflate (it usually takes 10 - 17 seconds to inflate.)  Mooring the raft to the aircraft prevents the raft from drifting.  The mooring line is designed to break at 500 lbs. of pressure.  Before the aircraft sinks, try to cut the mooring line to keep better control of the raft.  You will have to get in the water before you get into the raft.  DO NOT pull the raft up to the aircraft as sharp edges can puncture it.   Make sure the raft has a drogue or sea anchor to prevent the raft from spinning.  If you have a canopy, install it.  Do whatever you need to do to protect yourself from the elements.

6.  Try to stay in the vicinity of the wreck - as chances are your last transmission  will be from there.   If you have the plane's ELT or an EPERB be sure its activated.  Once its turned on do not turn it off.  Rescuers may think its a false alarm.

7.  Bail out any water from the raft; keep your body temperature constant.

8.  Be selective at the timing of your release of dye-markers and signal flares.

Suggested Items for an Aviation Survival Ditch Kit

Survival kits can be purchased commercially or you may choose to customize and prepare your own ditch kit.  At a minimum your ditch kit should contain:

*  Water maker (reverse osmosis pump)

*  Signal Flares (Hand-held, signal gun, or parachute flares.)  Know how to use flares prior to a crisis situation; be aware of wind direction, use them sparingly.

*  Signal mirror.  (One for each person.  Fasten to life-vest.)

*  1-liter of packed water.  Small bottles as opposed to 1-2 large bottles are less likely to break on impact.

*  Bailing Bucket.  Helps to keep you as dry as possible in a raft.  The goal is to keep your body's temperature constant.

*  Life raft patch kit

*  Rope.  Tie everything into the raft.  (including people.)  Tie all rafts together.

*  Duct tape.

* pocket knife.

*  plastic bags Have multiple uses (Cold water on forehead);  personal waste can be discarded in them (so you are less attractive to sharks.)

*  large mylar bags  typically bright orange in color.  They are excellent for signaling, insulating, and can be shelter-like.

*  limited supply of food rations.

All survival kits should contain a first-aid or medical kit.

The kit should include:

1  Prescription medications if needed. (be aware of expiration dates)

2  Allergy medicines

3  extra set of reading or prescription glasses

4  seasick tablets, patches, or bracelets (helps conserve body fluids due to seasickness; seasickness promotes dehydration.

5  Pain relievers such as Tylenol and iAdvil.

6  Sunscreen.  (should be waterproof and at least SPF 30.)

7  Bug spray containing DEET.

8  Band aids and bandages.

9  Triangular bandage for sling.

10 Antiseptic ointment.

Attend a First Aid / Survival course in your area.  There is no substitute for training and practice.