What safety action should be taken immediately after someone goes overboard?

Throwing a lifebuoy and signaling for help is the most critical first action when someone goes overboard. The lifebuoy serves as a flotation device that provides immediate assistance to the person in the water, helping them stay afloat until further help arrives. This action is crucial because the person who has fallen can quickly become disoriented and exhausted, making it vital to provide them with something to grab onto.

Alongside throwing a lifebuoy, signaling for help alerts crew members and other nearby vessels to the emergency situation, enabling a quicker and coordinated rescue effort. The immediate act of throwing a flotation device can enhance the chances of survival for the person in the water, as it offers them a source of buoyancy and reduces the risk of drowning.

Once this safety action is taken, additional measures can follow, such as calling for assistance from other crew members or using the radio to contact emergency services. However, ensuring that the person in distress has a safety device as soon as possible is the primary concern.