The Titanic is probably the most famous shipwreck in history. And we were there! We helped a girl and her little brother get to a lifeboat just before the great ship went down.

Sadly, only 706 of more than 2,200 Titanic passengers survived. Today there are rules that make large ships safer. There must be more than enough lifeboats for everyone. And ships steer farther south in winter and spring to avoid icebergs like the one the Titanic struck in 1912.

Anytime you get on a boat, there are things you can do to make sure you stay safe:

1. Wear your life jacket! Kids are required to wear life jackets on any private vessel under a certain size. Make sure yours fits snugly and won’t slip off in the water.

2. Know where things are on the ship! If you’re on a large cruise ship or a ferry, find out where the life jackets and life rafts or lifeboats are stored. Check out the nearest exits in case you need to get off the boat quickly.

3. Know your equipment! If your boat has an inflatable life raft, have an adult help you practice inflating it. Many life rafts come with emergency items such as a first-aid kit, flares, a mirror for signaling rescuers, and a canopy to protect you from the sun and rain. You’ll save time in an emergency if you know what’s on hand.

You’ll probably never be in a shipwreck. But if you are, remember these important things:

1. Stay calm. A clear head will help you make good choices.

2. If you’re not wearing a life jacket, put one on right away!

3. If there’s time, gather supplies, especially food and water. Grab blankets, a flashlight, a mirror, and sunscreen.

4. If you have a life raft or lifeboat, get in!

5. If it’s light out, use mirrors to signal for help. When it’s dark, use a flashlight or flares. But don’t use your flares or the batteries in your flashlight until you see or hear possible rescuers. Save them for when you need them most!

6. Protect yourself against heat and cold. Blankets can keep you warm or shade you from the sun. Don’t forget about the danger of heat stroke!

7. If you let yourself drift instead of trying to stay in one spot, you have a better chance of reaching land. Then you can use your wilderness skills to survive until help arrives.