Practice man overboard and capsize drills in a small boat with adult supervision, learning safe recovery techniques, flotation use, and calm communication.



Step-by-step guide to practice man overboard and capsize drills
Step 1
Put on a snug approved life jacket so it fits you safely.
Step 2
Ask the adult to check the boat and all safety gear before you go on the water.
Step 3
Ask the adult to choose a calm shallow practice area for your drills.
Step 4
Practice shouting "Man overboard" loudly so your voice is clear.
Step 5
Point at the exact spot in the water where the person is so everyone knows the location.
Step 6
Toss the throw bag or flotation ring to that spot and watch it float.
Step 7
If you are in the water reach out and grab the flotation aid.
Step 8
Hold the flotation aid securely with both hands.
Step 9
Float on your back while keeping your face out of the water.
Step 10
Kick gently with your legs to stay level and conserve energy.
Step 11
Ask the adult to stop the boat and hold its position with the bow facing the person in the water.
Step 12
Swim to the side of the boat and hold the grab handle or rescue rope.
Step 13
Kick your legs to lift your hips closer to the boat's edge while holding the grab.
Step 14
Pull on the grab handle to slide or climb back aboard while the adult steadies the boat.
Step 15
Share what you practiced and how you rescued or reboarded on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!


Help!?
What can we use if an approved life jacket or a throw bag/flotation ring is hard to find?
Use a Coast Guardâapproved or equivalent snug PFD that fits the child's chest and, for a throw bag or flotation ring, ask the adult to bring a rescue throw line or buoyant rescue cushion rather than inflatable toys.
What should we do if the child keeps losing grip on the flotation aid or struggles to stay level in the water?
Have the adult confirm the snug approved life jacket fits properly, practice the step 'If you are in the water reach out and grab the flotation aid' and 'Hold the flotation aid securely with both hands' in the calm shallow practice area, and use gentle kicking to stay level.
How can we adapt these drills for different age groups?
For toddlers, keep the adult in the water in the calm shallow practice area and focus on 'put on a snug approved life jacket', pointing at the spot, and grabbing the flotation aid with close help, while older kids can practice tossing the throw bag, shouting 'Man overboard', and using the grab handle or rescue rope to slide back aboard.
How can we extend or personalize the man overboard and capsize practice?
Time and video each drill, attach a waterproof whistle to the snug approved life jacket, vary throw distances with the throw bag or flotation ring, and finish by sharing what you practiced and how you rescued or reboarded on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to practice man overboard and capsize drills
Facts about boating safety for kids
âąď¸ Regular man-overboard and capsize drills make rescues much faster â practice can turn minutes into seconds.
đ A throwable rescue device (ring buoy or heaving line) can keep someone afloat while you stay in the boat to help.
đ Cold water can cause "cold shock" in seconds, so getting people into flotation and out of the water quickly is critical.
đŁ Shouting "Man overboard!" and pointing at the person is a universal alert that gets everyone's attention and direction instantly.
đŁââď¸ Over three-quarters of boating drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket â wearing one is the single best safety step.


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