Survival expert reveals what to do if you fall OVERBOARD on a cruise ship
Cruises offer passengers the chance to relax and recoup while travelling the world - but there are inherent risks that come with being on a floating vessel in the middle of the ocean.
On average, 19 passengers fall overboard every year with just four of those being rescued successfully, according to an industry study from 2020.
So, how can you increase your chances of survival if you ever find yourself in a similar situation?
Expert Cat Bingey, from Utah, has weighed in to reveal the best course of action to take if you ever fall overboard during vacation - after it was revealed that 20-year-old Levion Parker had jumped to his death from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship during a drunken argument with his dad.
Expert Cat Bingey, from Utah, has weighed in to reveal the best course of action to take if you ever fall overboard during vacation
It comes after it was revealed that 20-year-old Levion Parker, from Florida, had jumped to his death from a cruise ship
Levion reportedly jumped from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship during a drunken argument with his dad
How to survive going overboard on a cruise ship, according to an expert
- Don't panic
- Find anything that floats
- Fight dehydration
- Create a distress signal
Cat, who has consulted for Bear Grylls and National Geographic, previously spoke to Business Insider about how to act in such an extreme situation.
She said that those who go overboard will likely be fighting against a whole host of factors from the outset including injury from the fall, rough waters, hypothermia and even predators.
But the survival expert began by explaining that the first step was not to panic as she explained that this is actually 'the biggest thing that will kill you.'
'When people enter into a body of water they usually damage their lungs right away because they gasp,' Cat told the outlet.
'We have such a panic instinct to get air and when people do that they bring water into their lungs.'
Next, the expert urged people to find anything that floats - such as bits of driftwood and buoyant debris - in order to help stay above the water's surface.
It would be impossible to constantly tread water until a rescue party arrives and instead periodic bursts of that, floating and swimming will be your best bet.
'Even a small buoyant device will help you — something you can use with your arms around or your neck over just to help relieve some of the stress if you're not a great swimmer or you're having a hard time staying afloat,' she said.
On average, 19 passengers fall overboard every year with just four of those being rescued successfully, according to an industry study from 2020 (stock image)
Cat, who has consulted for Bear Grylls and National Geographic, previously spoke to Business Insider about how to act in such an extreme situation
Cat confirmed that best case scenario is that you collect enough to create a makeshift raft to get out of the water almost entirely.
Elsewhere, the expert insisted that it was more important to focus on food than on water as she explained: 'Our bodies are perfectly, evolutionarily adapted to have this ability to fast for a long period of time.'
Cat revealed that anyone who has potentially fallen overboard will be able to go without rations for a couple of days thanks to reserves stored in fat and the liver.
Dehydration is more of a concern since you also 'don't want to drink any salt water.'
She advised taking steps to conserve the water reserves that are already in your system which includes sheltering from the sun - either using debris or your own clothes to cover your head.
Cat's final point was that creating some form of distress signal will improve your chances of being found.
She candidly concluded: 'In the end, it's kind of a grim situation, but people have survived. And people sometimes just die.'
Related articles
David Ortiz is humbled by being honored in New York again; this time for post
NEWTON, Mass. (AP) — Hall of Famer David Ortiz is committed to his post-career work like he was swin2024-05-21Madonna fans hail the 'iconic' age
Madonna sent fans crazy as she took to the stage for her final Celebration Tour stop at Copacabana B2024-05-21The Celtics and Cavaliers last met in playoffs in 2018. This time Boston is the team to beat
BOSTON (AP) — One of the things Celtics forward Jaylen Brown remembers about his time inside the NBA2024-05-21No positive progress in Gaza truce talks: Hamas source
GAZA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- No positive progress has been made in the Gaza truce talks on Saturday, a so2024-05-21Queen Camilla reveals she's seen the first season of Bridgerton
Queen Camilla has revealed she has seen the first season of Netflix hit Bridgerton. The royal, 76, t2024-05-21Oksana Masters overcame traumatic childhood
When she takes to the start line in Paris this summer, Team USA para-cyclist Oksana Masters can rest2024-05-21
atest comment