Today was the second day of my STCW '95 marine safety training class. We started off quite fashionably at the pool doing drills in our lovely red survival suits. These "Gumby suits" are essentially giant wet suits that have an insane amount of buoyancy to keep you afloat in an emergency situation... but they are hugely oversized and fill up with water to insulate. Jumping off the board into the water in this awkward suit was a bit daunting, but it was fun watching everyone shooting back up like a cork. (A few people came back up feet first!)
We also did drills with the life rafts. We had to practice flipping them back over right side up and climbing inside as a group. The gumby suits made maneuvering difficult but amusing. At the end of our pool time, climbing out of the water with several gallons in each leg and arm was quite a trip!Later in the afternoon we were back in the classroom dying of boredom as they lectured about the dangers of drugs and alcoholism in the yachting industry. I had heard it was dull, but after a tiring morning in the pool it was positively brutal. Three cups of coffee and tea, though, and I managed to make it through and pass the daily test.
1 comments:
Heehee! What's with the capes?
Crazy.. So now we can be comforted knowing that if something happens to a yacht you're on, your gumby suit will keep you floating and warm. :)
Ug. I have an awful time trying to stay awake in boring meetings. Congrats on making it through and passing the test!
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