How to Survive a Kayak Incident
Imagine it’s a glorious day: bright sunshine and clear waters give you confidence to launch your kayak and paddle around a sheltered bay. The conditions are calm and you glide along smoothly, drifting on balmy blue waves.
Suddenly, you notice the water is becoming choppy and an offshore wind picks up; in what seems like minutes, you find yourself at the mercy of a gale. You and your kayak are being blown out to sea and, as the swell gets higher and rougher, you find you don’t have the strength to battle the waves and paddle back to the protection of the bay.
Then a big wave capsizes you and you’re plunged into cold water. What should you do?
Try to get back into your kayak – it’s important to learn and practise techniques to do this in calm shallow water so when an emergency situation arises you know what to do.
In extreme conditions, if you can only get your body partially out of the water and onto your kayak, it will significantly increase your survival time.
Call for help using whatever means you have at your disposal. Make sure you have a communication
device (such as a mobile phone, a waterproof handheld DSC VHF or a personal locator beacon) on your person.
(Remember: if you can’t reach it in an emergency, it’s no use). When using a mobile phone call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
Do not attempt to swim to shore and always stay with your kayak – you will make a larger target for the search and rescue groups to find.
The RNLI suggests kayakers follow these guidelines:
- Always carry a means of calling for help and keep it on your person.
- Wear your buoyancy aid. Watch this RNLI video for tips on wearing a buoyancy aid.
- Check the weather and tides – try UKHO Easytide. Be aware of wind strength, especially offshore winds (when the wind is blowing out to sea). Watch this RNLI video about the importance of knowing about wind and tides.
- If venturing away from the beach, seek knowledge from an expert such as the harbourmaster or lifeguards.
- Tell someone responsible where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
- Wear appropriate clothing for the conditions and your trip, such as a suitable wetsuit/drysuit and layers.
- Get training to develop your skills – contact your local canoe or kayaking club and look for coaching sessions/paddle awards run by British Canoeing. Learn and practise self-rescue techniques to get back onboard your kayak, in case you capsize.
- Paddle in a group where possible.
- Check out more detailed RNLI kayak
- safety advice.
- The RYA SafeTrx app can be used to log, track and send alerts about your trip.
ਹੋਰ ਵੀ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਹਾਲਾਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਬਚਣਾ ਹੈ ਸਿੱਖੋ