1. WHEN PRESERVATION OVERRIDES FASHION
There has to come a time when preservation overrides the need for fashion. Over two
hundred years ago men were putting cork around their upper bodies sitting in an open
boat then rowing out from the safety of a harbour in the name of preservation.
Were these the days when men were made of steel; with ships of wood? Could we as
sea fearers really contemplate the immense intensity that would meet these brave
souls as Mother Ocean unleashes her fury on the unprepared?
True human endeavour will surely prevail should Mother Ocean allow it. I often
wonder how it would feel to watch such an activity taking place seeing the look of
anticipation on those early lifeboat men.
Could we all honestly say in this modern day ‘I would do it’ each of us have our
limits I’m not sure my own bravery would stretch so far. Is it cruel to say good luck; I
hope they make it or a way of justifying our very own fears?
A brotherhood of men founded on the ‘want to save others’ each mans survival
dependant on the others ability; thirty foot of wood shaped into a boat with oars to
propel them forward.
In this modern world of sea survival equipment do we ever think what if? Or do we
slope the responsibility and except that someone will eventually come for us?
EPIRBS along with SARTS will give location but unless your immediate and
personnel lifesaving kit is favourably suited to the conditions; your location won’t
matter much.
What thought process do we go through when considering our sea survival
equipment? Two hundred years ago cork wrapped in hessian was considered the
correct dress at sea.
A lifejacket is the first stage of life preservation along with an appropriate survival
suit. What questions do we ask ourselves when faced with the multitude of choice?
This is a far cry from days of old. We spend months on scrutinising the specification

2. of a boat or yacht that is purchased for tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds; yet
only minutes on choosing the one item that could determine a watery grave.
Like days of old, search and rescue teams are there for those who can’t help
themselves, your help starts the day you buy your essential lifejacket not your
fashionable one.
So I ask the question ‘When does fashion override preservation?’
Mark Belamarich MBE
Sea Survival Instructor