Section D. Survival At Sea

 
Introduction
 Specific personal and aircraft equipment are provided on Auxiliary flights for assistance in survival.  It is important to learn, understand, and follow proper procedures for survival at sea.
 
D.1.  Life Preservers
 Pneumatic life preservers are safe, comfortable, easy to wear, and do not require inflation for fitting and adjusting.  They are designed to provide sufficient buoyancy to support downed flight crew after they bail out or ditch into the water.  These preservers are rapid inflation style with an auxiliary oral inflation device.  Accessory survival items may or may not be attached, depending upon the type of preserver.  If not attached, survival items should be carried in the pockets of the flight suits or in survival vests.  All survival equipment should be attached to personnel or the raft with a lanyard.
It is imperative that all crewmembers be familiar with the donning, fitting, care, and operation of the preserver that is used in the aircraft.  Once aboard a raft, the preserver should be kept inflated in case the raft capsizes or is deflated.
 
D.2.  Life Raft
 A carbon dioxide cylinder inflates the raft when the lanyard is pulled.  There is a valve for oral inflation that closes automatically by spring pressure when it is not held open.  Handles or straps are provided as aids for boarding the raft.
 
D.2.a.  Boarding a Life Raft
 The best way to board a life raft is to grasp the boarding strap, and kick the feet vigorously while pulling elbows and life preserver over the raft tube, then grasp the boarding strap on the other side and roll into the raft.  For the one-person raft, it is better to board over the small end than the side to lessen the possibility of the raft capsizing.  Thrust your body over the small end of the raft face down, and then roll over to a face-up position.  Extreme care should be taken by personnel boarding the raft to ensure that no sharp objects puncture the fabric of the life raft.  A sea anchor is attached to the raft by a line.  Deploy the sea anchor to stabilize the raft and to minimize your drift from the location of the ditching.
 
D.2.b.  Life Raft Survival Equipment
 The life raft normally available to Auxiliary flight crews typically contains little survival equipment and no water or rations.  During the annual training sessions, the raft should be inflated and the crews should be made aware of what equipment is included and how to use it.  It is essential that all of the signaling and survival equipment be attached to either each crewmember or the raft.  Be constantly alert to the danger of puncturing the raft with sharp objects.
 
D.2.c.  Multiple Rafts
 If multiple rafts are used, they should be tied together.  This creates a larger target that is more likely to be spotted by searching units.
　
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