I haven't seen these before, great idea which by serendipity I had already devised something similar for myself!
After doing the VHF course, I created laminated cards as an aide memoire to remind me of the correct procedure. As has been said it's not something you use regularly (hopefully!) so may forget, especially in an emergency when keeping a cool head is difficult but essential. And as I enter my dotage I find my memory becoming more and more unreliable.
I printed the DSC and oral Distress Alert MAYDAY procedure on one side and the All Ships Call PAN PAN & SECURITE versions on the reverse, since the latter is the more likely situation I might find myself in; for example if my engine should fail on the Firth of Forth, potentially close to shipping, but there was no immediate life-threatening danger warranting a full MAYDAY at that stage. The HX870E has the facility to enter the NATURE of the DSC DISTRESS ALERT so I included this pre-procedure as optional for use when time permits.
I try to remember to have a quick read through to refresh my memory before going out on the water. I keep a small one in my lifejacket knife-pouch pocket and a large one in my bow dodger bag. I usually skipper alone but if I had any passenger/s I'd draw their attention to it, as well as demonstrating the radio controls before setting off.
I hadn't thought of putting an attachment ring on, I may now modify them to attach the larger one to a short lanyard in a more accessible location and maybe even one of the smaller ones attached to the handset.
- RB's MAYDAY cards
