The checklist
Staying on board
- Where the lifejackets are, how to put one on and adjust it, and when to wear it.
- Harnesses and tethers: where the jacklines and strong points are, and when to clip on.
- Moving around the deck: one hand for yourself and one for the boat.
Man overboard
- Shout, throw the lifebuoy or danbuoy, press the MOB button, and point.
- Who does what, and where the recovery gear is.
Fire and gas
- Where the fire extinguishers and fire blanket are, and how to use them.
- Gas safety: turning the gas off at the bottle after use, and what to do if you smell gas.
- Escape routes from below, including forehatches.
Water in the boat
- Where the seacocks are, and the softwood bungs for each.
- Where the bilge pumps are, and how to use them.
Abandoning ship
- Where the liferaft is, how to launch it, and that you only step up into it.
- The grab bag, EPIRB or PLB, and the handheld VHF.
- Where the flares are, and how to use each type.
Calling for help
- How to send a DSC distress alert and a Mayday on the VHF.
- Where the boat's position is shown, so anyone can read it out.
Everything else
- Where the first aid kit is, and who has first aid training.
- How to start and stop the engine.
- How the heads work, and what must never go down them.
- Seasickness: tell someone early, and stay in the fresh air.
Make it stick
- Show, don't just tell: walk round the boat and point at each item, and let people try on a lifejacket and handle a flare.
- Don't rely on one person: the skipper could be the one who goes overboard or gets hurt. Make sure at least one other person can send a Mayday, start the engine and get the boat back to a casualty.
- Repeat it: brief anyone who joins later, and go over man overboard and the distress call again before a night passage or bad weather.