Muster Drill Question..

[Teachlady]

We went on our first cruise on the Mariner of the Seas this past January with another couple. We had an awesome time and booked again on the Freedom for next January. Our only problem was that the lady we were cruising with had a very hard time with wearing the life jacket during the Muster Drill. She had trouble breathing and her heart was racing and she was sure she was going to pass out. My question is.. will she be required to wear the life jacket next time or can she just hold it during the drill??

[djbj]

They are very adamant that they are to be worn Maybe a Dr. note would be a good idea.

[Valentine's Mom]

I don't know if a doctor's note will work but heaven forbid that she really need to use one. What would she do then? Just a thought...

[welove2cruise*]

If her problem was related to anxiety caused by claustrophobia - the lifeboat drills can cause these due to tight squeezes with many passengers in hot conditions - tell her to wait to arrive until the last minute and to inform an attendant that she is claustrophobic. They will keep her in front of the other passengers so that she will feel more comfortable.

[Teachlady]

I don't know if a doctor's note will work but heaven forbid that she really need to use one. What would she do then? Just a thought...

She said she would just as soon drown, it was that bad an experience. I'm sure if push came to shove, she would wear it to survive. but seeing as how she has gone through the drill once, is it that necessary for her to wear it again for another drill?

[Teachlady]

If her problem was related to anxiety caused by claustrophobia - the lifeboat drills can cause these due to tight squeezes with many passengers in hot conditions - tell her to wait to arrive until the last minute and to inform an attendant that she is claustrophobic. They will keep her in front of the other passengers so that she will feel more comfortable.

Thanks.. good idea.. she was the last person in the back of a row which made it that much worse, I'm sure.

[Merion_Mom]

She could be me. :D On my last cruise, the crew member demonstrating the proper donning and wearing of the life jacket didn't have one, and asked to use mine for his demonstration. Poor me had to stand there without a life jacket. :D :D :D

 

I later stated that I thought that he had seen me earlier on the crew bus, and figured that I knew that I was doing, but my dear companion had the opinon that perhaps he just didn't care if I drowned! :eek:

[Host Kat]

She said she would just as soon drown, it was that bad an experience. I'm sure if push came to shove, she would wear it to survive. but seeing as how she has gone through the drill once, is it that necessary for her to wear it again for another drill?

 

Yes, from my Muster Drill experiences through the last 18 years, they had to be worn at every drill I have attended. The styles have changed with some being more uncomfortable than others.

 

If it was her first cruise too, that sometimes helps to raise the anxiety level. You know, the "fear of the unknown" factor. Next time, she could try to get to the location early, explain the situation to the staff, and maybe they will allow her to stand by the rail until time to move into the group on the front row.

 

I sincerely hope things will be better for her if she will be with you on the Freedom!

 

Happy trails to you...

 

Kat

[Hypo]

When you are standing there at the muster drill, realize that all of the people at your station are going to be crammed into one lifeboat, if the need arises. Imagine spending several days bobbing around in one with that many people!!:D

 

Hypo

[Murphy]

Go to the purser's desk before the drill and ask if there is an area for "muster-drill-challenged" people! I know it sounds funny, but there is always a small area set aside, sometimes in the casino, sometimes in the lounge and I've been directed there before. I injured my back at the airport before our last cruise and I couldn't stand for more than a few minutes. I asked if there was a place I would be able to sit down during the drill and they directed me to the meet in the casino instead. I did have my vest on, but wasn't part of the crush of others.

[judy&steve]

No need to wait to be last for the muster drill. Just tell the crew member in charge that you are claustrophic and need to be in front. I have done that the past few cruises and always get to be in the front of the group. It makes me breathe much easier.

Since your friend knows in advance that she will be anxious, perhaps she could ask her physician to prescribe an antianxiety medication and she could take it a little before the muster drill is scheduled and it would help her stay calm.

--Judy

[dpalmquist]

She can also go on a different cruise line. From my experience RCI was the only line that made us go by the lifeboat and take roll. On Princess last summer we sat in a lounge. Still had to have on the jacket but much more comfortable.

[simplyred0714]

I think if you explain to the lady (or man) at your muster station that you are claustrophobic and the life jacket makes it worse she will most likely use her lifevest for the demonstration. I also was at a station where the woman in charge of our station didn't have a vest and she used mine to demonstrate the techniques. I was very glad because I too am claustrophobic and wasn't feeling very good in the vest. My dh said he never saw me shed an apparal item so fast...LOL.

 

Julie

[Treven]

She can also go on a different cruise line. From my experience RCI was the only line that made us go by the lifeboat and take roll. On Princess last summer we sat in a lounge. Still had to have on the jacket but much more comfortable.

On NCL, we all sat in the theater & a couple other places large enough to hold all the pax. Plus they got it over with as quickly as possible.

[wrp96]

I've been in lounges on RCI as well, in addition to being on the outer decks. Going on a different cruiseline isn't going to help her though since she'll still have to wear the life jacket.

 

Definitely talk to the purser's desk before hand and see if they can accommodate you. Otherwise go early and talk to the person directing your muster station and advise them of her claustrophobia. Plus have her wait until the very last minute to put on the life jacket. My last cruise I only had to wear mine for maybe 2 minutes that way.

[LindaandJeff]

...seen me earlier on the crew bus,...

 

Crew bus??? Do tell! ....;)

[Merion_Mom]

Sorry, Linda. I've been asked not to discuss it on the boards any more. Go back over my old posts, though, and you'll see. (though I think that you've been reading them, so this is really just a reminder. :))