Borjhar: Five dry coconuts and two jute ropes are all it takes to stay afloat in water.

A tried and tested method devised by the National Disaster Response Force promises to keep citizens afloat during emergencies.

With the monsoon set to hit the Northeast in about a month’s time and floods looming large, the NDRF demonstrated the technique during a community awareness programme on disaster management and school safety at Haropara gaon panchayat under Chhayani Barduar development block in Kamrup district on Friday.

Haropara gaon panchayat is about 35km from Guwahati.

The modus operandi is simple.

Two ropes are inserted at the top and bottom of the coconuts leaving an even gap between them, with knots separating them.

The coconut “raft”, as the force calls it, is then ready to be strapped above the waist to keep a person afloat in water for several hours, if disaster strikes.

The rafts are constructed according to Archimedes’ principle of buoyancy at work. When a body is partially and completely immersed in fluid it experiences apparent loss of weight, which is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the immersed part of the body.

“A person weighing up to 80kg can float for three days in water, wearing the coconut garland on his waist. The knots made in the rope separate the coconuts and keep them in their places, and more importantly, the kernel must not be disturbed when the rope is inserted by a pointed structure,” Bimal Bora, the head constable of 1 battalion of NDRF, said.

“The fibre of the coconut sheath can be extracted if a jute rope is not available when a disaster such as flood strikes,” Bora said.

Experts say the coconut sheath is a naturally woven fibre.

“We have tried and tested the device in swimming pools and in our basic training centres,” he said.

There’s more.

Once the person reaches dry land, the coconuts can be peeled and consumed.

“A man after floating on water for several hours will definitely feel thirsty and hungry. So once he is on dry land, the coconuts can be peeled and consumed,” Bora said.

For children upto 12 years, the NDRF has come up with a lighter but similar device using ropes tied around the top and bottom of empty plastic bottles.

“The number of bottles of course depends on the age and weight of the child. Five empty 600ml bottles are required for children between five and 12 years weighing up to 35kg to keep them afloat in water,” he said.

Over 500 people attended the community awareness programme.

“We do not have access to life jackets and rubber tubes. So this is a unique and cost-effective method devised by the NDRF. I am sure many will be benefited by the device,” Nitul Choudhury, a resident, said.

(This appeared in The Telegraph on April 29, 2015)