Self Test for Kayaking Safety
Part I: Recreational Kayaks
There are certain two word combinations in the English language that most of us among the living would prefer not having associated with our names. “Accident Report” and “Organ Donor” come to mind fairly rapidly. This is the beginning of a series of simple questions that you can ask yourself before you leave land to aid you in avoiding that rather dubious recognition. This test is by no means comprehensive and your input is invited. The contribution that you make may well save someone’s life.
Just so we’re on the same page, I’m going to define recreational kayaks as those that are less than 14 feet in length that are made for calm water, near shore usage. They may not have hatches, bulkheads or a rudder and may have a large open cockpit. Generally speaking they have inadequate flotation to be paddled ashore when they are swamped – they’ll float, but not if they are trying to support your weight as well.
Self Test for Kayaking Safety
Part II: Recreational Kayakers Companion Guide
The last segment seemed to be widely read and brought out some great feedback from readers as well as many horror stories. Some of these stories bore witness to many potential accidents and some were very honest accountings of personal experiences that could have gone very bad.
Personally, I have to give a nod to those designers out there who have given us a quiver of recreational kayaks to choose from. They’ve brought a variety of kayaks to the mainstream public and made a quiet sport popular. People are paddling and leaving their jetski in the garage. I say, “Cool!” Now, let’s take a look at making our recreational kayaking experiences safer.
Self Test for Kayaking Safety
Part III: Touring Kayaks
For purposes of this writing I’m going to define these as closed-deck models over 14 feet in length with built-in flotation fore and aft. They may or may not have a rudder or a skeg to aid in tracking. These boats are made for going somewhere on open water and can be used easily in class I river conditions. This style of kayak has a wide window of use ranging from gentle rivers and lakes on up to multi-week ocean expeditions. When taking a kayak lesson, you will most likely be taught in this type of boat because the skills you learn easily transfer to other types of kayaks. Whitewater kayaking has some exceptions to this, but then, that’s another story.
Questions you should ask yourself before you hit the water:
The Classic T-Rescue with Variations
Let’s assume you’ve practiced your wet exits until you are comfortable with them. Now it’s time to get back into your kayak, preferably a dry one. The T-rescue is an assisted rescue using the aid of another paddler in their boat.
So, you’re in the water holding onto your paddle and your capsized boat. Here’s what happens next:
Weather Radios: Do I really need one?
Do you need a tetanus shot? We use these as preventive measures to keep more serious problems from occurring. The same is true for a weather radio. They are a compact, fairly low-tech way of gathering weather forecast information for the US and Canada. They are readily available in marine and electronic supply shops for less than $30 and run on easy to obtain batteries. I recently saw a new waterproof model for $15 that seemed like it would get the job done. Most will pick up from three to ten weather stations. A friend of mine drives a Subaru that has a weather radio built-in to its audio package. Never thought I’d have Outback envy.
Dressing for Success: The Four Seasons
Proper paddling skills are extremely important, but they won’t help you that much if you are not properly dressed for the conditions. Paddling is one activity where being voted “worse dressed” can make you late. Late, as in …the late (insert your name). So let’s take a look at proper dress that will not only provide comfort, but can also save your life.
We’ll work from the foundations on out, so let’s start with the most benign condition….
Paddle-Float Rescues and Assists
The paddle float can be a very handy device if you use it often enough to become accustomed to its idiosyncrasies and its many uses. It’s similar to a waterproof pillowcase with an air chamber or two that you inflate by blowing into it. The best way to get used to your paddle float as a rescue and bracing aid is to; you guessed it, practice, practice, and practice. Practice in calm water, cold water and rough water until you develop confidence in what you can do with it.
Primary use: the paddle rescue float was initially designed as a solo rescue aid to help you use your paddle as an outrigger to stabilize your boat for re-entry from deep water. It takes the place of another boater in an assisted rescue situation.
Here’s how it works:
Handheld VHF Radios
Compact Very High Frequency (VHF) radios can be an extremely useful piece of signaling equipment and a good way to maintain group contact across the water. They have a useful range of about 5 miles and operate on a line-of-site signal. In other words, if there is a big hill between you and the location you are trying to call; well, its just not likely to work. I have lengthened my calling distance by climbing a palm tree….climbing a hill could also aid you as long a you are calling across water. Bear in mind that it is illegal to use handheld VHFs on land the way you would family radios.
Signaling — When to Use What
If you’ve ever been to a sea kayaking symposium, you’ve probably run into one of those folks armed with flares, whistles, smoke, day-glow jumpsuit, a mirror, EPIRB, VHF, GPS, SATCOM and operational manuals that are inconveniently non-waterproof. In the right context any of these items could save your life or at least get you arrested when you try to board a plane.
So when do you signal for help? When you find yourself in a situation that is beyond your capability. Yeah, its sort of like guys asking for directions…judgement IS always a factor. Not that you start by shooting rocket flares and shouting “mayday” at the top of your lungs…let’s look at our options:
PFD’s-They Float, You Don’t
ersonal Flotation Devices only work if you wear them. In challenging weather and water conditions, most people make a good decision to wear their PFD. There are other times when their judgement may not be so clear. Let’s examine a scenario that’s all too common. You have a brilliant midsummer’s day with air temperatures in the low 80’s, water in the high 60’s and winds are a steady 10-15 knots offshore. Its such a fantastic day to take a solo paddle that you are working on your tan with your PFD securely stowed on deck within reach. You decide to cross a bay from point to point and at midpoint you are only 1 mile from the nearest land….seems like a good bet. Its glorious…you are absolutely blissed out. You reach for your camera behind your seat and inadvertently capsize.