Black Gold (15 page)

Water sports are a lot of fun but never forget that water is dangerous. If something goes wrong it takes only seconds to drown – and even if people are pulled out alive, they often die later in hospital. Here are my top ten tips for safety and survival in and around the water.

1. Learn to swim

Whether you're sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking, fishing, snorkelling or riding a jet ski the golden rule is – learn to swim. Even if you're on a boat and not intending to get wet, you might end up taking an unexpected dip! And the 'learn to swim' rule counts even if you're scuba diving. Just because you've got air tanks doesn't mean you're safe. If something goes wrong with your equipment, you need to know how to swim back to safety.

Ask your school about swimming lessons if you don't know how to swim, or find out where your local pool is.

2. Get proper training

Except in a dire emergency, Alpha Force would never try a new activity without getting tuition – and neither should you. If you want to go scuba diving, go on a proper course. You'll be shown all the kit and how to use it, as well as being able to practise vital skills like the hand signals Alpha Force use when diving. You'll also learn how to take off your regulator and mask underwater and put them back on. This is unbelievably scary the first few times because you're suddenly blind and unable to breathe – but you want to be prepared in case it happens to you for real when you're out.

Even simpler-looking sports like surfing have important safety rules. For instance, if you're surfing and you get a dunking, come up with your hands above your head. Your board will be whizzing around loose; if it hits you on the head it could knock you out or break your nose, whereas a whack on the arms probably won't hurt so much.

To be really safe, you could also learn lifesaving techniques – and of course brush up on first aid. Again, lifesaving lessons should be available through swimming clubs at your local pool.

3. Use the right kit

Boats should have lifejackets for everyone. Don't rely on recreational swimming aids such as lilos – they may look funkier but they are not tough enough to save you in a real emergency. Never water ski or get on a jet ski without a lifejacket; you can reach high speeds and if you fall off, you could be knocked unconscious and drown.

It's always colder on the water so when you're sailing take extra jumpers and waterproofs. The sun's stronger too; so don't forget SPF (sun protection factor) cream or you'll soon look like a lobster.

If you're surfing or diving in cold water always use a wetsuit. It's easy to get very cold underwater because water cools you down. If the temperature's really low you may need a drysuit instead, because you can wear thermals underneath. Don't underestimate the effect of cold; it can exhaust you quickly and put you in real danger.

Make sure equipment is well maintained. Surfboards may have sharp edges, broken fins, etc., which can injure you. Boats need to be serviced regularly, and make sure someone checks that you have enough fuel and battery power before you set out: you'll feel really silly if you run out! Boats should also have some kind of emergency signalling device – such as an
Emergency Position Radio Beacon (EPiRB).
This sends out global marine distress signals to ships, planes and satellites. It should also be checked and everyone on the craft should know how to operate it. Everyone should also know where the life rafts are and how to operate them.

When you get back, do any essential maintenance on your equipment straight away: wash wetsuits and dive gear with fresh water and arrange for any necessary repairs. Don't just leave it all in a heap while you put your feet up for a nice refreshing drink, or you could forget to do it altogether!

4. Check the area first

Don't swim, sail or surf anywhere unless you know it's safe. On beaches there will be designated areas – stick to them. Even if the water outside these areas looks calm, there could be dangerous rocks or strong currents that can suck you under. Even the best swimmer can't fight a strong undercurrent so it's best to avoid them. There may also be certain times when the tides change and make watersports more hazardous.

Don't swim where others are sailing. In some conditions boats may not be able to see you.

Don't go out too deep. If the sea floor drops abruptly, not only will you be unable to put your feet down; it's also the most likely place to find strong currents.

Inland waters such as rivers and lakes can be just as dangerous as the open sea. Lakes can be very cold beneath the surface – so cold that you could go into shock if you fall in. The bottoms of lakes and rivers can be soft, uneven and changeable and there may be submerged objects that might damage your boat or injure you. River currents are often stronger than they appear (you can check by throwing in a twig).

If there are no signs or notices, don't assume the water is safe. Check with someone who knows the area – a shopkeeper, a caravan park owner or someone who lives nearby. They are likely to know the dangers.

When I was fifteen and just learning to dive, I learned the value of local knowledge. I was looking for lobsters in the North Sea with a mate, feeling my way through a bed of kelp more than two metres high. It was spooky and slimy and when I felt something pull me I thought it was kelp. But when I put my hand down to feel behind me, my fingers touched a head and a snout. Thoughts of terrifying creatures flashed through my mind and I surfaced in two seconds flat – only to find my mate had surfaced too and was bobbing in the water laughing at me. My hideous monster had been nothing more dangerous than a friendly seal. My mate had known they were there, but I hadn't – and I felt a right idiot.

5. Watch out for marine life

Shark-infested waters

Anywhere there is warm salt water, there are sharks. If you are out in the water and you spot a shark, obviously you have to get away. No, it's not cool to try to stroke it or ride it. Instead, stay calm and swim strongly and rhythmically back to land or your boat. If you thrash wildly on the surface, shrieking that there's a shark in the water, that's a sure way to get eaten.

The tiniest amount of blood in the water is like a dinner gong to a shark. So if you're in an area where sharks are known to visit and you cut yourself, get out straight away!

Don't swim or surf near people who are fishing – not only might you get caught up in their lines; their bait and the thrashing motion of the caught fish might attract sharks.

If you're spear fishing, don't tie your catch to yourself by a short line. A passing shark will think the fish is the garnish and you're the main course. Put your catch in a floating basket, or tie it to a line at least eight metres long. And make sure you have permission to fish – you could be killing endangered species, and a number of fish in warmer waters are poisonous to eat!

Other nasties in the sea

Although they may not try to eat you, many other creatures in warm coastal waters sting or bite. Some are poisonous, but even if they're not you might get a nasty wound. Mostly they are not aggressive – they attack when people do dumb things.

Never try to pat a sea creature, see what their skin feels like or feed them a titbit – you will definitely regret it.

In the shallows, watch what's under your feet. In some parts of the world, stingrays hide in the sand. It's easy to step on one – and their barbed tails are very painful and poisonous. Find out if there are stingrays in the area before you go in. Shuffle your feet rather than wade. Then, if a stingray is buried in the sand, your foot will nudge him and he'll take off to a quieter area before you stomp on him.

It's a good idea to wear some kind of foot protection anyway when in the water. Even if there aren't stingrays, there may be broken glass or sharp shells.

Another major hazard is jellyfish. They often drift ashore and die on the beach, where they look intriguing – particularly the blue Portuguese Man-of-War. Never touch them. Even though they're dead, they still sting. Yes, it may be tempting to pop the air bladder with your toe but don't – it's like stepping on a bed of hot coals.

When you're in the water, jellyfish are difficult to see, so look for signs on land. If a lot have been washed up on the shore, there are probably more of them alive in the water. And don't go in after a major storm – the waves break up the tentacles so that they can't be seen, but they can give you a painful sting.

If you're in the water with someone who gets stung by a jellyfish or a stingray, help them out as quickly as possible and get first aid.

6. Feet first

Don't dive into water unless you are absolutely sure of the depth and can see the bottom. Every year people are paralysed diving into shallow water in rivers and lakes. Always enter the water feet first.

7. Don't go alone

Even the best swimmers, sailors and surfers can get into trouble. If you're on your own there's no one to help or call for rescue, so don't be tempted to go out on the water without a companion.

Always let people know how long you'll be out. Tell someone where you are going, how long you will be there and when you expect to return. And stick to it; the emergency services will not be amused if they find that the reason you didn't come back was because you decided to take a snooze in your boat, or chat to fellow surfers.

8. Check the weather

Never swim or go out on a surfboard when the sea is rough or the waves are high – the current may drag you under. Wind on lakes can also cause choppy waves that make it dangerous to swim.

Get out of the water straight away if you see or hear a storm – water conducts electricity and you are far more likely to be struck by lightning.

Water sports enthusiasts take the weather very seriously. Be prepared to change your plans if the conditions look bad.

Never go out on the water after dark. You can't see depth or hazards. Night, dusk and dawn are the times when sharks are hunting. When you plan your trip, make sure you will be out of the water by dusk – so check and double-check that you've timed everything accurately.

9. Don't go if you don't feel 100 per cent well

To stay safe on – or in – water, you must be alert. You need to remember safe techniques and rules, and to have the discipline to react properly in an emergency. You can't do this if you're tired, have a sore throat or a cold.

Know your limits too – water sports are strenuous. If you're out and you start to feel tired or cold, head back. Don't try to keep up with a stronger, more skilled swimmer or encourage others to keep up with you.

Watch out for the
dangerous toos
– too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

Nil by mouth
is a good rule to remember. Don't eat sweets or chew gum when out on the water – you could easily choke. Always wait for an hour after a meal before swimming – you may get cramp. This is incredibly painful and makes it very difficult to keep afloat.

10. Trouble

If you see someone in trouble

If you can rescue someone without going into the water yourself, take that option. They might be battling currents and hazards you can't see. Find a long item such as a broom handle and see if you can reach them with it, then tow them to safety. Never take personal risks to save someone – that will only mean two people have to be rescued.

If you get in trouble

Whether swimming or surfing, if you get in trouble signal for help. Shout – sound travels well over water. Wave with one arm (not both – you'll go under).

Don't panic: struggling will only exhaust you. And if you're being swept along by an undertow don't try to swim against it. Most people try to swim back towards the shore, but this will wear you out in no time. I made that mistake myself once. I was swimming off Palm Beach in Florida, USA, about fifty metres out. I turned round and tried to come back and suddenly found the beach was getting further away and the tide was carrying me out to sea! So instead I pointed myself at forty-five degrees to the beach so that I was using the current and not fighting it. It took a while to get back but at least I managed it!

If you're a long way from shore, give yourself rest breaks. The human body is less dense than seawater and if you just relax you will float. When you've caught your breath, swim on. If you have a surfboard with you, keep hold of it – it will help you relax and float.

If you are caught in a current on a river, float on your back and travel downstream feet first. That way if you encounter any objects or debris, you hit them feet first – rather than headbutting them. Angle your travel so that you drift towards shore.

If you're on a boat that's in trouble, stay with it for as long as possible. Your best chance of survival is on a boat, even if it is disabled – not a life raft, which is easily punctured and difficult to steer. Only get in the life raft when you're up to your waist in water in your main boat.

BE SAFE!

Chris Ryan

Random House Children's Books and Chris Ryan would like to make it clear that these tips are aimed at helping to increase your knowledge of safety in this area, and to avoid accidents. We would recommend proper instruction and cannot accept any liability for inappropriate usage of these tips.

This isn't the first time Alpha Force have had to use their skills to survive in the sea. Their very first meeting was on board a ship sailing round the Indonesian islands. Turn over to find out more . . .

Extract from Alpha Force: Survival

Copyright
©
Chris Ryan, 2002

Red Fox

0 009 43924 7

It only takes an instant to die . . .

As he struggled to swim away from the huge wave that towered over him, Alex began to hear his father's voice in his head, patiently explaining the survival skills he had learned in the SAS. It was oddly comforting to listen to that calm, quiet voice and Alex found the strength to push himself on through the turbulent water, even though his muscles were almost useless with exhaustion.

It only takes an instant to die,
continued his father's voice.
The way to survive is to make sure you never reach that instant. Are you listening, Alex? You need to understand how an accident happens. Most people think it explodes without warning –
blam! Like a firework. But you look more closely at that accident and what do you see . . . ?

'A fuse . . .' croaked Alex, forcing himself to take a few more strokes before floundering to a stop. 'There's always a fuse . . .'

He blinked the stinging seawater from his eyes and looked over his shoulder to see whether he was clear of the breaking wave. He groaned. All that effort and he had hardly moved. It was as though he had been treading water. The wave still towered over him, even higher now. It was a solid slab of black water, except at the top where there was a frayed edge of white foam. The wave had reached its crest and was beginning to curl over. In a few seconds, the whole weight of that wall of water would crash down on top of him.

Alex stopped swimming. He knew he was fighting a losing battle. Instead, he concentrated on breathing, topping up his system with as much oxygen as he could before the wave hit. He felt himself being tugged backwards as the surrounding water was sucked into the base of the breaking wave. Forcing his burning lungs to take in one more deep breath, he turned and dived down under the surface a second before the breaker crashed down on top of him.

Even under the water, Alex was overwhelmed by the impact. The breaker slammed him down and knocked all the air out of him with a casual efficiency that reminded him of his mother kneading dough. As he tumbled lazily through the water, drifting on the edge of consciousness, Alex thought about his mother making bread half a world away in the kitchen he had been so keen to leave. He thought of how sad she would be if he did not return from this trip and suddenly he was fully awake again.

He began to struggle against the current, which was still rolling him over and over, pulling him nearer and nearer to the reef where the boat had broken in two. If he was dragged across the razor-sharp coral, his skin would be torn to ribbons. How close was he? There was a roaring in his ears which could be breaking surf. Alex forced his eyes open, but it was so dark under the water, he could not tell which way was up. He redoubled his efforts to swim against the current until he felt as though his chest was about to burst open. His movements became weaker, the roaring in his ears grew louder and sparks of multi-coloured light began to dance behind his eyes, but he kept going and, suddenly, the current let him go. He broke surface and pulled whooping breaths of air into his lungs.

Clearing his eyes, he peered about him. The moon was up and, in its pale light, he could just see the dark, jagged outline of the island he was trying to reach. He turned in the water and saw white surf breaking on the reef behind him. It was still too close for comfort and another huge wave was beginning to build. Gritting his teeth, Alex started to swim again, scanning the water for any sign of the rest of A-Watch.

He spotted Amber first, way ahead of him. She had nearly reached the island and was swimming strongly. Behind Amber, but still in the quieter waters of the lagoon, two more heads bobbed close together in the water. Paulo and Li, thought Alex, guessing that Paulo would not leave Li's side if he could help it. But where was Hex? Alex felt a chill run through him as he remembered that Hex, the fifth member of A-Watch, had been even nearer to the reef before the wave hit.

Despite the next breaker building behind him, Alex slowed and turned to scan the surface for Hex. He half-expected to see a body, floating face down in a spreading circle of blood, but there was nothing. Then he caught a movement over to his left. There was Hex, ahead of him now, and swimming steadily towards the island. He must have managed to surf in on the back of the wave that had swallowed Alex.

Satisfied, Alex put the others out of his mind and concentrated on swimming as hard as he could. This time he was nearly clear of the breaker when it crashed. Once more, he dived to survive the impact, then swam against the current that was pulling him backwards. He felt a surge of elation as he broke surface again. He was going to make it! Then something slammed into the back of his head with bone-shattering force. Instinctively, he flung his left arm up to protect his head and was caught in a grip which instantly tightened, biting into the flesh of his wrist. As he began to spiral down into the water, trailing blood, Alex heard his father's voice again.

Every accident has a fuse, son. There's always a fuse.

Alex watched with a sort of dazed curiosity as a thin rope of his own blood twisted away from him towards the surface. That must be the fuse, he thought. In the few seconds left to him before he lost consciousness, Alex imagined the fuse stretching across the sea and back in time to twenty-four hours earlier, when they had all still been aboard the
Phoenix.
That was when it had all started. That final Watch Duty, when the fuse was lit . . .