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Marine Survival Tools

Having the right marine survival tools on hand during a crisis might mean the difference between life and death. Survival depends upon a person's ability to maintain mental control and avoid panic; survival tools aid in this process. The preferred tools vary from person to person, depending on individual skill sets, physical condition and location. For example, a person who relies on glasses frequently carries corrective lenses as a survival tool.

  1. Life Jacket or Personal Flotation Device

    • Survival on the waters entails staying afloat, even if you are injured or unconscious. A personal flotation device -- often referred to as a PFD, life jacket or life vest -- remains the primary marine survival tool. It often allows survival during a marine accident, crisis or emergency on the water; the simple PFD remains an essential tool to prevent drowning. The United States Coast Guard provides individual approval numbers for every PFD.

    Survival Knife

    • A quality survival knife tops every list of survival tools. A knife cuts through tangled ropes, lines or other material. A survival knife aids in self defense against attackers, whether human or otherwise. Use a knife to prepare food, dig or facilitate openings in various types of material. The knives usually measure about 6 inches long. They are made of high carbon or stainless steel.

    Medical Kit

    • A complete medical kit -- designed for use in marine emergencies -- must handle anything from a minor injury to a major medical crisis. The kits contains many components, medications, antisepctics and bandages. The best medical kits include simple instructions; they enable any medically unqualified person to administer first aid or basic medical care.

    Personal Signal Light

    • The possibility of a person going overboard remains one of the greatest dangers in a marine crisis. Mounted on the bulkhead, railing or on a life vest, personal marker lights automatically activate when a person enters the water. The lights rare visible up to three miles away, and aid rescuers in locating survivors. Some laser flares signal rescuers up to 20 miles distant. Most operate for 36 hours or longer in the water.

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