Cold Climate
If the water is cold, it is imperative that you get out of is as soon as you can. You also need to counter the chilling effect of the wind, especially if you are wet. Keep the boat or raft as dry as possible. Bail out any water and try to set up some kind of awning to keep the spray out, assuming you can find any useful material on board. Dry out all wet clothing and if there is no dry clothing squeeze out as much water as possible and then put the clothes back on.
Maintain your body heat by wrapping all parts in any available material such as a parachute or a canvas. If there is a group, huddle together to conserve and share body heat. To prevent stiffness to the muscles and joints and also to keep the circulation moving, do small exercises like stretching and arm circling. However, be careful not to disturb the balance of the boat in the process.
Most modern rafts have some sort of built-in shelter. However, if yours does not, build a windbreak and a spray shield. Stretch any available material across the raft to keep out breaking waves and spray. If you have adequate shelter and relatively dry clothing, consistent exercise will protect against the risk of frostbite.
Hot Climate
In hot climates, take off unnecessary clothing but still keep the body covered. If you are exposed directly to strong sunlight always keep your head and neck covered to avoid sunstroke or burn. Protect the eyes from sun glare by improvising eye shields.
During the day, damping clothes with sea water can help keep the body cool, but be sure to dry them out before nightfall as the temperature can drop and the nights can be very cold. Also remember, that darkness comes very quickly in the tropics and prolonged contact with sea water can cause sores on your skin.
You should also pay attention to your raft. During the day, it will heat up causing it to expand. Let some air out using the release valves to avoid any unnecessary damage. As night approaches, replace the air as the colder temperatures will cause the air to contract and make your raft more likely to take on water from breaking waves.
Health
The biggest problems to face any survivor at sea will be exposure and severe dehydration. Of course, seasickness can increase dehydration. Difficult urination, concentrated urine and constipation are typical in sea survival conditions. Don’t attempt to treat them as that will only increase your dehydration. In the event you feel sick, try not to vomit and DO NOT induce vomiting.
Extended exposure to sea water can cause skin eruptions. Do not attempt to prick or squeeze boils and blisters. As a safeguard, do not damp your skin too often with sea water in an attempt to stay cool. If there is any soreness – STOP.
Use a makeshift mask to protect your eyes from sun glare. If you experience sore eyes because of glare, moisten a cloth with sea water and place this over the eyes as you rest them. Don’t do this too long, obviously, as it can cause sores, as mentioned above.
“Immersion Foot” can become a problem. This is caused when feet have very long exposure to sea water or a raft where the bottom is consistently filled with water. Gently exercising the feet will help protect you from it as well as from frostbite and general exposure. Keep well covered when resting and gently exercise your limbs when you’re on watch.
Is Land Nearby?
When there is no land in sight, look for some of these indications of land and the direction in which it may be found:
Clouds: Cumulus clouds in an otherwise clear sky are likely to have formed over land. In tropical waters, a greenish tint on the underside of the clouds (also known as “lagoon glare”), is produced by the reflection of sunlight from the shallow waters over coral reefs
Birds: A lone bird is not a reliable indicator of nearby land. Also, after rough weather birds can be blown off course, but few seabirds sleep on the water or fly more than 100 miles away from land. You can usually tell the likely direction of land by knowing the time of day. Before noon, birds fly out to sea. In the late after noon, they fly towards land. The continuous sound of bird cries is usually an indication that land is not too far away.
Driftwood: Driftwood, coconuts and other drifting vegetation can often be an indication that land is nearby. However, these items have been known to drift clear across the ocean, so you may want to use this as a sign in conjunction with one of the other signs, instead of by itself.
Sea Movement: The patter of the sea swell may also be a good indication of nearby land. A change in its direction could be the result of the tide pattern around an island. Prevailing winds build up in a swell pattern but the swell is less if the water is protected by land. If the wind is constant BUT the swell and the waves are decreasing, you can be fairly confident that land lies in the direction of the wind.
Sea Color: Water that is muddy with silt is likely to have come from a large river mouth. Following the trail will likely lead you to land.
Making Landfall
When you do approach land, try to select an easy landing point or where you can safely swim ashore such as a smooth beach. Take the sail down and keep watch for rocks. The sea anchor will keep you pointing towards shore and will also slow down your progress, giving you more time to avoid rocks. Try not to land with the sun in your eyes, it will make it hard to see any potential threats.
As mentioned, a sloping beach is an idea place to choose, assuming you have a choice. If you can time it right, ride on the back of a breaking wave – the momentum will carry you into shore. To avoid being swamped or tuned around by an oncoming crest, paddle hard, but do not overshoot the wave that is carrying you along. In very heavy surf, turn the boat seaward and, as the wave approaches, paddle into it.
As you approach try to observe the lay of the land. Note the location of high ground, types of vegetation, possible watercourses, etc. As you’re coming in, you may see features that would be invisible from shore. If there are others with you, choose a rendezvous point to meet if the raft breaks up and you are all separated.
If you read land at night, wait until morning to attempt landfall, if possible. There could be some serious hazards that would otherwise be avoided during daylight.
If you float into an estuary make every effort to reach a bank because the turning tide could take you back out to sea. Bring in the sea anchor and make the raft as light as possible in order to gain ground quickly. Bail out any water and make sure the raft is fully inflated. This will help you make the most of the incoming tide.
If you find yourself being pulled back out to sea by the ebb of the flow, partly fill the raft with water to increase its ballast and put out the sea anchor.
Swimming Ashore
If you have to swim ashore onto rocks in a heavy sea, keep on any clothing, shoes and life jacket, if you have it. Raise your legs in front of you to absorb the shock of impact with rocks on the shores of your feet; absorb it by bending you knees.