Until you reach the survival craft, or if you fall overboard, personal equipment is what keeps you alive. You should know these three by heart.
Image: Perumalism / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lifejacket
Designed to turn even an unconscious person face-up. It carries a whistle, a light and retro-reflective tape. Learn where your own lifejacket is and how to don it on your first day.
Image: W.carter / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lifebuoy
The first thing thrown in a man-overboard. Some carry a self-igniting light and smoke signal, others a buoyant lifeline. Those on the bridge wings are fitted for quick release.
Image: U.S. Navy / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Immersion Suit
A waterproof full-body suit that slows heat loss in cold water. Under SOLAS it must be donned within 2 minutes. Ships trading in cold areas carry one for every crew member.
On your first day, try on your lifejacket and (if carried) your immersion suit; report it at once if the size is wrong.
This post is part of the Emergency Equipment Onboard series. Full series: /blog/seri/emergency-equipment-onboard
Related reading: Emergency Drills That Actually Work
