What should you do if your boat tips over or swamps?

Staying with the boat is the recommended course of action if your boat tips over or swamps because a capsized or swamped boat provides visibility and stability compared to being in the water. In many instances, a flipped or flooded boat will float and can be used as a platform to make yourself more visible to rescuers. It also reduces the risk of further accidents or drowning since there is a greater chance of being rescued from or near the boat than from swimming away. Additionally, in some situations, the boat may be easier to right or re-enter, which can help in getting back to safety.

While options like swimming to shore or signaling for help are important considerations in an emergency, they may not be the safest first actions. Swimming can lead to exhaustion or make a person more vulnerable in open water, depending on the conditions. Getting rid of excess weight may only be applicable before an incident occurs, and not after the fact. Therefore, remaining with the boat is the most effective way to enhance safety until help arrives.