What is the recommended posture when jumping from a MODU to enter the water?

• A. Jump with arms overhead
• B. Holding down the life preserver against the chest with one arm crossing the other, covering the mouth and nose with a hand, and feet together
• C. Jump with life preserver on head
• D. Sit on the deck and wait

Answer: (B)

When entering the water from a MODU, the priority is to stay buoyant, protect your airway, and enter in a controlled position. Holding the life preserver snugly against the chest with one arm crossed over the other keeps the jacket in place so it provides buoyancy as you hit the water. This minimizes the chance it rides up or slips off.

Covering the mouth and nose with a hand helps shield your airway from spray and water on impact, reducing the immediate risk of inhalation and choking as you surface. Keeping the feet together creates a streamlined entry, lowers splash, and helps you maintain a stable orientation in the water so you can quickly adopt a face-up or buoyant position after entry.

Jumping with arms overhead loses the protection and secure fit of the life preserver and can lead to water entering the nose and mouth more easily. Jumping with the life preserver on the head obscures vision and does not secure buoyancy. Waiting on deck is unsafe and delays rescue.