This is the first of a series of articles on the subject of sailing safety. The articles will attempt to combine different ideas on safety from sources such as the Red Cross, personal experience, computer programming and other outdoor pursuits.

The goal is to link these ideas from diverse sources and see what kinds of safety routines and knowledge can be developed.

Article 1: Know You are in Trouble/The Planning Game

Here we combine ideas from survival training and extreme computer programming. If you don’t know you are in trouble, you may lose crucial time that relates to survival or proper actions.
Adequate planning is essential to recognizing trouble.

Here are some examples that combine planning and recognition. Plan for scenarios such as having to reef, having to sail to a dock or mooring, loss of electronics etc. Planning for these situations will allow you to know when you are in trouble. If there is reefing trouble, you may know when a storm
trisail is required, which could lead to not losing your mainsail, saving your rig etc. Planning to sail into your slip can improve boat handling. Planning for loss of electronics can lead to updated charts and better navigational skills.

What other ways can advance planning lead to knowing you are in trouble? Use the comment area to let us know.

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