5 Kayak Safety Tips
Kayaking is an outdoor activity that is enjoyed by countless people around the world. It is a lot of fun and offers undeniable fitness benefits as well. Every day, new individuals are introduced to the kayaking activity and find themselves falling in love with it. With this said, it is of the utmost importance for all kayakers to understand some kayak safety essentials that will help them to avoid serious injury, getting lost, drowning and a host of other possibilities. The following information considers some key points that all kayakers, new or experienced, should understand. Remember, your number one priority when kayaking should be safety!
Must Have Kayak Safety AccessoriesWhat Are Some Common Safety Issues Associated With Kayaking
- Drowning
- Hypothermia
- Getting Lost
- Weather
- Sun Burn
Drowning
Drowning is probably the number one issue that a kayaker needs to consider. Even if you are an Olympic swimmer, drowning is a possibility especially if you travel long distances from shore or are in rough waters. Just imagine how difficult it would be to get back to safety if you fell into the water and had to swim for a mile or more. Of course the water is not likely to be calm if you are in the ocean. You may have swells to deal with, currents pulling you away from your destination and wind blowing, you guest it, opposite of your direction of travel. Even a half of a mile could be insurmountable for someone who is not in good shape or is a weak swimmer.
So how can we prepare against this clear and present danger when kayaking? The number one protection against drowning is to wear a properly fitted, quality life jacket. Having a life vest at the bottom of your crate or in the bowels of your vessel is not a good habit to be in. Its best to always be wearing your vest and have it fitting snug. If you were to hit your head or for some other reason become unconscious and not have the vest on properly, would surely spell disaster.
Another protection against drowning and other potential life threatening situations would be to have a buddy come with you. Kayaking alone, especially in rough waters or on long journeys can be risky. Having a companion means you always have someone there to help in an emergency. Having a second kayak also means you have an alternate way of getting back if something were to happen to yours.
Right up there with wearing a life jacket to prevent drowning is being able to right your kayak and get back in it. Flipping your kayak is very common. If you find your self in rough water or you kayak in the ocean, flipping happens from time to time. If you are unable to get back in, your in trouble. To protect yourself against getting into such a situation be sure you know how to recover from a fall into the water. The best way to prepare yourself is to practice. Put your kayak in a pool or find some other suitable place to give this a try. Its best to try this a few times, preferably in warmer water so you can do so comfortably. Leave all the gear at the car and just have a paddle with you so you don’t have other distractions or possible loose something. Once you have had time to try once or twice you will see how difficult such a maneuver can be. Now imagine having to do this in rough water with a kayak full of gear! Taking the time to get proficient at this skill can be a bit of a pain but its a skill that may save your life.
How To Avoid Hypothermia When Kayaking
Hypothermia is caused when the body temperature drops to a level that the body can not maintain. Shivering, loss of motor skills, unconsciousness and death can occur. Hypothermia can happen even if the air temperature is relatively warm. One thing that can have a big influence on body temperature is the type of clothing you have on. If you are dressed in a cotton shirt and jeans, getting wet can be a problem even if its relatively warm. Cotton when wet sucks the warmth from your body. Cotton does not insulate when wet. If you are in breezy conditions you will feel even colder as the wind chill factor will be a concern. Having clothing that does not absorb water and that can insulate you even when wet is an important part of your trip planning. Materials like wool, polyester and fleece are good choices.
If you are kayaking in the winter or in cold water like in the pacific can be a situation you need to consider. What would happen if you flipped your kayak and fell in? Would you be able to right the kayak and get back in before hypothermia began to set in? In cold ocean or lake conditions it may be wise to wear a wet suite. Even a brief dunk in the water would be much better tolerated if you were wearing one.
With our without a wet suit, flipping your kayak in cold, or warm water for that matter, can be fatal if you do not know how or are not able to get back onto your vessel. As mentioned above, be sure you can quickly recover from a flip especially if the water you will be in is going to be cold.
How To Avoid Getting Lost When Kayaking
If you are just heading out on a small lake or river, getting lost is usually not something you will have to worry about. If you are kayaking long distances, in areas with disorienting features like mangrove islands or find yourself engulfed in a sudden fog bank, getting lost can be a frightening situation.
In this modern world of GPS gadgets we have never had it easier to know where we are at all times and figure out how to get where we want to go next. The best way to keep from getting lost when out kayaking or anywhere for that matter is to have a GPS enabled device with you. There is no need to go out and buy an expensive unit. In fact you likely already have all you need. Your smart phone can be instantly turned into a life saving GPS unit by downloading a free app or using the map function that you probably already have installed. Be sure to know how to use your software before you go out though. Nothing is more frustrating than finding you are lost and not knowing how to utilize the thing that was supposed to get you back home. Also be sure it is able to function via cell or satellite. There wont likely be any wifi where you are kayaking and even cell sites can be unusable if you are far out in the ocean. It best to have a boating app like Navionics on your phone that is made for exactly that purpose.
There are other more basic ways to keep you on the right track. One is making note of obvious visible land marks. Having a landmark, like bread crumbs, can be an easy way to find your way back to the launch. But like bread crumbs they can give a false since of security. What if you run out of daylight?
Kayaking In Bad Weather
Key Weather Issues To Monitor
- Wind
- Storms
- Fog
Another situation that can make finding your way on the water difficult and dangerous is the weather. Strong winds or rain can make it hard to figure out where you have been and where you need to go. Getting soaked during a good rain can lead to hypothermia if you are not prepared with the proper clothing. A sudden summer storm and bring with it dangerous lighting and quick drops in the temperature. Fog is probably considered one of the most dangerous weather situations that a kayaker can encounter other than lightning. If you are far from the launch, having the previously mentioned GPS unit when the fog rolls in will be invaluable.
How can one avoid becoming a victim of foul weather conditions? Its simple, be sure to listen to the weather report no more than 12 hours prior to your launch. If there is mention of storms or fog consider postponing your adventure. Be sure to know what your limitations are as far as wind goes. If the forecast is for 15 mile an hour winds, be sure you know what that means in practical terms.
Once you get to the launch make a final check on the weather. If summer storms are brewing, be sure to have a bookmark to a good weather radar site to monitor any storms that may be in the area. There’s nothing scarier than racing back to the launch while bolts of lightning are striking all around you!
The Dreaded Sun Burn
I hate it when I get home from a nice day on the water, come into the house and my wife gives me the riot act because, I let myself get a sun burn, again!
Okay getting a sunburn is not necessarily going to kill you but you may wish you were dead if its bad enough. Going out on a nice sunny day along with the reflection from the water can cause a serious sun burn that can end the day in misery. Of course sun burns can also aid in the development of melanoma skin cancer, so avoiding a sunburn can really be an important part of your kayaking preparation.
So never go out on the water with out some sun screen of at least 50 SPF. If you will be getting wet or swimming be sure to get the water resistant kind for added protection. Don’t think because its cloudy or fogy that you will not get a burn. UV rays easily cut though the cloud cover and can deliver a good burn.
Essential Kayak Safety Tips That Everyone Should Consider
CONSIDER TAKING A KAYAKING COURSE WHEN INITIALLY BEGINNING THE ACTIVITY – Anyone who is new to the kayaking activity should consider taking a basic course on paddling technique and safety.
USE A LIFEJACKET THAT IS DESIGNED FOR KAYAKING – A lifejacket that is suitable for kayaking and fits snugly is a must.
WEAR CLOTHING THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE CURRENT CONDITIONS – Always choose clothing that is appropriate for the time of year and weather conditions. Be prepared for quickly changing conditions.
CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE WATERWAY – Choosing a waterway that is skill-level appropriate is key to kayak safety. Consider the amount of boat traffic, changing tidal currents and other factors that might make a particular location dangerous.
NEVER GO KAYAKING ALONE – Kayaking alone adds an unnecessary element of danger and is not advisable.
CHECK THE WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE HITTING THE WATER – A check of the weather conditions should always be done before heading out onto the water. Lightning, fog and wind are often the three biggest factors you need to prepare for.
ALWAYS CARRY AN EMERGENCY KIT – A proper kayaking safety kit should include first-aid supplies, food supplies, a signaling device, water containers & filters, a compass or GPS, an emergency shelter, and a hatchet.
Kayak Safety Checklist
- The kayak has been checked for holes and the drain plug is installed property.
- All paddling equipment is present (paddle, strap to secure to kayak)
- Emergency kit packed
- Mini repair kit packed
- Waterproof pouch for mobile phone
- Family and friends have been notified about the kayaking trip and its location
- Check the local weather forecast
- Bring plenty of water so you don’t get dehydrated
As enjoyable as kayaking is, there is nothing fun about ending the day in mishap or tragedy. Following these kayak safety tips can help to ensure a kayak trip that is fun and safe at the same time.
Must Have Kayak Safety Accessories