Since the beginning of the year, on the Atlantic coast, the sea has taken away many lives of seamen, professionals or boaters, who have fallen into the water without a lifejacket. Without a safety vest, the chances of survival are very low, even if help arrives quickly in the area.
While the summer season will begin and be accompanied by a sharp increase in the practice of water recreation, the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture reminds the importance of wearing the lifejacket or a PFD (integrated buoyant suit).
The vest saves life.
In 2016 and 2017, no person who fell into the sea and wearing a lifejacket lost his life.
Reminder of safety instructions:
– To prevent accidents:
Check his equipment and safety equipment.
Check the weather, the tidal coefficients and the strength of the currents.
Do not overestimate your abilities.
– To be an actor of his rescue:
be able to alert the rescue: VHF (VHF 16) or telephone (196: direct number to the CROSS), have informed his relatives of the expected time of return, do not leave alone and have a team member to give the alert.
Be able to wait for rescue: wear a lifejacket or PFD.
To be seen: to wear brightly colored reflective clothes and equipped with signaling equipment for the night (flash lamp …).