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Abandonment of vessel
Lifeboat drills must be conducted to prepare for possible disaster. Both crew and passengers must be instructed in the procedures to be followed. Reasons for such instruction should be given to all concerned, because procedures will be remembered better when the necessity for them is understood.
Forced immersion is the primary hazard to life after surviving the initial impact of hitting the water. It should be kept in mind that no ocean or lake has a temperature equal to body temperature. Thus, in all latitudes, anyone in open water will lose heat, and heat loss lowers the internal body temperature. As the internal body (core) temperature falls below normal and generalized hypothermia develops, there is an increasing likelihood of ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
The loss of body heat is one of the greatest hazards to the survival of a person in the sea.
The extent to which generalized hypothermia threatens life is determined by the water temperature and the length of exposure. The bodily effects of subnormal temperature will vary depending on geography, season, duration and activity in the water, and body insulation (the amount of fatty tissue and clothing of the individual).
Practical hints for people forced to abandon ship have been published in a pamphlet distributed by the International Maritime Organization. This pamphlet should be available on board ship, and should be used for training the crew.
These hints, aimed at increasing the chances of survival in cold water following disaster at sea, are reproduced below.
1. Put on as much warm clothing as possible, making sure to cover head, neck, hands, and feet.
2. If an immersion suit is available put it on over the warm clothing.
3. If the immersion suit does not have inherent flotation, put on a life-jacket and be sure to secure it correctly.
4. Anyone who knows that he is likely to be affected by seasickness should, before or immediately after boarding the survival craft, take some recommended preventive tablets or medicine in a dose recommended by the manufacturer. The incapacitating effect of seasickness interferes with your survival chances; the vomiting removes precious body fluid, while seasickness in general makes you more prone to hypothermia.
5. Avoid entering the water if possible, e.g., board davit-launched survival craft on the embarkation deck. If davit-launched survival craft are not available, use over-side ladders, or if necessary lower yourself by means of a rope or fire hose.
6. Unless it is unavoidable, do not jump from higher than 5 metres into the water. Try to minimize the shock of sudden cold immersion. A sudden plunge into the cold water can cause rapid death or an uncontrollable rise in breathing rate that may result in an intake of water into the lungs. If it is absolutely necessary to jump into the water, you should keep your elbows to your side and cover your nose and mouth with one hand, while holding the wrist or elbow firmly with the other hand. Do not jump into the water astern of the life raft in case there is any remaining headway on the ship.
7. Once in the water, whether accidentally or as a result of abandoning ship, orientate yourself and try to locate the ship, lifeboats, life-crafts, other survivors, and other floating objects. If you were unable 
to prepare yourself before entering the water, button up clothing at this point. In cold water, you may experience violent shivering and great pain. These are natural body reflexes that are not dangerous. You do, however, need to take action as quickly as possible before you lose full use of your hands; button up clothing, turn on signal lights, locate whistle, etc.
8. While afloat in the water, do not attempt to swim unless it is to reach a nearby craft, a fellow survivor, or a floating object on which you can lean or climb. Unnecessary swimming will "pump" out any warm water between your body and the layers of clothing, thereby increasing the rate of body-heat loss. In addition, unnecessary movements of your arms and legs send warm blood from the inner core to the outer layer of the body. This results in a very rapid heat loss. Hence, it is most important to remain as still as possible in the water, however painful it may be. Remember, pain will not kill you, but heat loss will!
9. The position you assume in the water is also very important in conserving heat. Float as still as possible with your legs together, elbows close to your side, and arms folded across the front of your life-jacket. This position minimizes the exposure of the body surface to the cold water. Try to keep your head and neck out of the water.
10. Try to board a lifeboat, raft, or other floating platform or object as soon as possible in order to shorten the immersion time. Remember, you lose body heat many times faster in water than in air. Since the effectiveness of your insulation is seriously reduced by soaking in water, you must now try to shield yourself from wind to avoid a wind-chill effect (convective cooling). If you manage to climb aboard a lifeboat, shielding can be accomplished with the aid of a canvas cover or tarpaulin, or an unused garment. Huddling close to the other occupants of the lifeboat will also conserve body heat. Keep a positive attitude of mind about your survival and rescue. This will improve your chances of extending your survival time until rescue comes. Your will to live does make a difference!
11. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL BEFORE ABANDONING SHIP. It is dangerous - it not only causes rapid heat loss, but also impairs judgment.