Kayaking Safety

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Kayaking Safety

Kayak

This article is intended to cover the basics of kayaking safety. Additional training will not only make your kayaking safer but will increase your enjoyment of this great outdoor activity.

Start with forming good habits. It’s easier to learn the correct way to do something than to have to relearn it later after a mishap. Time spent preparing can make the difference between a great day of kayaking day and a bad or dangerous experience.

Training

  • A basic kayaking safety course by a certified instructor, including self and assisted rescue skills is necessary to be prepared for emergency situations.
  • A First Aid class- including CPR. Many hospitals and high-school adult education programs offer this training.

Preparation

  • PFD– Personal Flotation Device… Rule #1.
  • Check the weather forecast. This seems common sense. Remember that conditions can change very quickly.
  • Prepare a Float Plan– let someone know what you’re planning and where, even for short trips. This is simple kayaking safety.

For longer excursions, leave a more detailed plan. If you plan to make stops, list those stops in the order  that you’ll visit them. Leave a second copy on your car seat … and call when you’re back on shore.

  • Drinking Water. Bring enough water for each paddler (extra in extreme heat)- about one gallon per day per paddler.
  • First Aid Kit. A small water-tight and air-tight container for a first aid kit. Placing the kit inside a couple of Ziploc bags will insure that the contents stay dry.

Suggested kit-  Aspirin or other pain reliever, Antacids, Antiseptic Cream, Band-Aids, Bandages or gauze, Burn Cream for skin, Sugared Candy, Energy food bars. For longer trips, add: Change of warm clothing – fleece, Thermal emergency blanket, Type IV PFD for throwable float, Disposable lighter to make a fire.

  • Practice– Practice how to upright an overturned kayak. Mentally prepare for what you’ll do in an emergency.
  • Awareness. Be aware of where you are and where you are going. Stay alert.

Safety Tips

  • Kayaking Bright Colors– When you buy your kayak and any gear, choose bright colors. Consider bright orange,  yellow,  bright green. Red is not as visible at long distances.
  • Flotation Bags- If you’re going to spend any money in gear, float bags are worth consideration! Float bags are inflatable cone shapes that fit inside the front and back ends of a kayak to keep it afloat if capsized. You can get two standard kayak floats for under $100… well worth the investment.
  • Other Items– Whistle or air-horn, Float line- used for towing, Paddle float to assist capsize,  Spare paddle, Sun protection sunglasses, hat, sunscreen.

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Self Rescue and Assisted Rescue

Recreational kayaks are made for calm water, close to shore usage. They have a large open cockpit and generally don’t have enough flotation to be paddled ashore when they are swamped. They’ll float but not supporting your weight in it. (Here’s where floatation bags help).

Don’t panic.

  • Stay with your kayak.
  • Find your paddle – hold on to it.
  • Float on your back so you can push off any objects with your feet.
  • Stay upstream in currents – don’t get caught between the kayak and rocks.
  • Focus on getting back into your kayak.
  • Using self rescue skills, you need to first upright the kayak. Next you will need to re-enter the swamped cockpit using your paddle float to stabilize the kayak. (In an assisted rescue a second kayak acts as a stabilizer.) Then the swimmer kicks to propel their self onto the deck and into the swamped cockpit. Next, secure the paddle – grab the hand pump to get the water out. After the water is out, it can then be paddled to shore.
  • If you or another cannot re-enter the kayak you will have to tow it.

Alcohol & Kayaking

Alcohol does not mix with water sports. First, alcohol will dehydrate your body and impair your judgment, as well as accelerate hypothermia. You need to be alert and sharp – leave the alcohol behind.

 

Are you looking for an easier way to move

your kayak or canoe to and from the water ?

Canoe & kayak carts offer a safe and easy way

to walk your craft to the launching site.

Check out this comparison of the top canoe & kayak carts.


Other Canoeing and Kayaking Articles:

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