February 22, 2010
A group of Canadian students and teachers - including Mark Sinker and Ruth McArthur - from a class-at-sea ship The Concordia experienced terrifying moments last week when their vessel sank off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thankfully, two merchant ships were in the area and picked up all 64 survivors, while the Brazilian Navy coordinating their transportation to the mainland.
In the early hours of this morning, the Canadian survivors arrived back home and told reporters how they had kept their spirits up by singing "constantly" for the 42 hours they were adrift, despite the cold and stormy weather, according to the Toronto edition of TheStar.com.
Sinker told the news provider that students and teachers helped pull each other onto the life rafts after the ship had been struck by a freak wave, and McArthur confirmed that everyone worked together to make sure their friends and colleagues were safe and sound.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a total of 760 individuals died in vessel-related and recreational boating accidents in the U.S. in 2008.
The U.S. Search and Rescue Task Force suggests that those who find themselves in cold water and are not able to get out should refrain from swimming as physical exertion causes the body to lose heat at a much faster rate than remaining still. It is also important to avoid panic as air trapped in clothing can provide buoyancy as long as one remains still in the water.
In addition, multiple survivors may increase their odds by huddling together or in a group facing each other to maintain body heat.
Survivors of maritime accidents can access valuable resources that can help them thrive through the Trauma Resource Institute.
