What is the first priority when a boat flips?

The first priority when a boat flips is to conduct a head count to ensure that everyone is safe. This is crucial because in any emergency situation, accounting for all individuals involved helps responders determine the next steps to take. Ensuring that all participants are accounted for allows for more effective management of the situation and highlights if immediate rescue or medical assistance is required.

Following a boat flip, there can often be a high level of chaos and distress, making it vital to confirm that everyone is present and unharmed. If any individuals are missing or in distress, it will prompt a quick response for search and rescue efforts, ensuring the safety of those affected by the incident.

Other options, although important, follow after confirming that all individuals are accounted for. Checking for injuries is important, but that assessment can only be accurately performed when everyone is identified and stabilized. Retrieving lost equipment or stabilizing the boat can be essential for safety and recovery, but these actions should not take precedence over ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.