Kayak safety equipment
To change the idea that I'm hijacking a thread about a kayaker that's missing at sea (not on a fishing kayak), I created this new thread ... because I’m also a vessel angler …
Further, I’m not a kayak angler, which was said to me a few times, but I still know the see pretty well, and out of concern for fellow anglers I feel the obligation to voice my opinion, whether some like it or not !
Personally I believe the safety equipment carried on a kayak is not sufficient, not even by a long shot.
I also believe that because no formal courses were done most (not all) kayakers don't know what to do, when to do it and why they have to do it.
I will take a few pics of things that I believe all kayakers should have on their kayaks and also discuss a few things that I personally believe is wrong, actually ALOT of things are wrong.
Kayakers complain about the regulations, let me tell you something, get yourself a boat and THEN you will only see what marine regulations are . . . you are not hit as hard as you think you are.
Some say, we are adults, we should know what we need to be safe, well, if the regulations say 1 flare chances are good 99% would only take that one flare. Unfortunately laws are not created to control the well informed individual, but to control the not so well informed masses, and it creates a good standard.
Some good advice, go and buy the “SANLAM SKIPPERS GUIDE FOR SMALL VESSEL SEAMANSHIP", it will cost you about R 80 and will teach you more than you can ever learn by yourself.
ANY trip to sea can turn into an extended one, prepare yourself for it !
Some issues
STUPID COLOURED KAYAKS[/b], incl WHITE, BLUE, GREEN and every other colour that is EXTREMELY difficult to spot. GOOD COLOURS ARE RED, ORANGE AND YELLOW, with Yellow and Orange being the better choices. Sure a white boat and a white kayak looks nice, but that’s all, it just looks nice !
On a kayak you have a VERY SMALL FOOTPRINT, first of all the kayak is very small and also very low on the water. This makes it very difficult for OTHER FASTER TRAVELLING vessels to see you, and in case of emergency, IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE for a rescue craft to see you. Maybe even a small orange flag fixed about 1.5m above the kayak would be good, but not practical as it would get damaged easily during launching and beaching, but could and would improve visibility.
Clothes that kayakers wear. A black wetsuit with a blue "buoyancy aid", now that helps alot aswell, that makes it even more difficult to see a kayaker. Again I say Red, Yellow or Orange. I will rather look "ugly" and be found that good and not be found if you know what I mean.
Distance limitation
Looking at the SAMSA rules, there simply aren't sufficient rules regarding kayaks, according to the rules there are NO DISTANCE LIMITATION on a kayak, so they can pretty much go anywhere they want to. Now that is a BIG problem, cause first of all they are not equipped to be far from shore, and second, they depend on a person in a good and healthy condition to propel them. Personally believe 1nm, maybe pushing it to 2nm ABSOLUTELY MAX. Some people actually think they can go 3-5nm from the shoreline on a kayak, that's just crazy, in fact, it’s bloody reckless if you ask me.
LAWS need to be written that CONTROLS the manufacturers of kayaks. Every Tom, Dick and Harry are starting to build kayaks, THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED, there should be a standard that needs to be followed.
Buoyancy on Kayaks
30% as an absolute minimum, and it should be SPREAD THROUGHOUT the hull of the kayak, NOT JUST IN THE BACK. This can be done by adding pool noodles, but should actually be built into the kayak during manufacturing.
A Safe way of carrying safety equipment, cause you know what, if your kayak goes down then so does all your “survival equipment†! If you are separated from your kayak you are also separated from your safety equipment. If a kayak is filled with water and a hatch full of tackle and everything else, can it still carry you, it should float with you ON TOP OF IT, holding on for dear life ! In fact, it should have a short capsize rope attached to it aswell.
A national body that controls the issue of “permitsâ€, exactly the same as with all boats. All kayaks should be surveyed on a yearly basis. After all, they are sea-going vessels, and should conform to a standard, with a safety certificate being issued after a survey. The rules controlling RIVER BOATS are much stricter than SEA GOING KAYAKS. I understand it will cost you money, just like it costs every other owner of a seagoing vessel money, that’s life, and it’s there for your own good.
Some form of training, even if just a VERY BASIC 1 day course with a attendance certificate issued afterwards, this course should detail some basic rules of the sea, cover the use of flares and other safety equipment and also the LEAVING OF DETAILS for emergencies, like I said, a basic course.
Ask Ski-boat anglers who have encountered surfers and kayakers on the water, most will tell you this … they are hard to see, especially when the sun is in your eyes, and they don’t think twice about launching or “beaching†while a BIGGER VESSEL is busy doing the same, they also tend not to think twice about crossing your path, which is not the end of the world, but not good “sea etticet†and dangerous due to visibility factors.
Launching - the advantage of kayaking and also the biggest problem. You can launch anywhere and nobody could even know about it, this is a catch 22 situation, that’s why it’s so important that EMERGENCY information is left with a responsible SOBER person with very clear instructions.
1 man vessel, another plus with a big problem, cause if you get hurt and you cannot call for help there is no-one that can help you. On a Boat we are not allowed to go to sea alone, but it’s a problem that cannot be overcome on a kayak or 1 man vessel, it is ofcourse recommended that you not go to sea alone, but rather in groups, but it’s not always possible or practical.
Looking at the safety equipment I listed, well it’s not as much as you think it is, and in an emergency, you will be extremely happy you have it, that much I can promise you.
A discussion on the equipment :
Small first aid kit – [/b]it’s an absolute must have, you can cut yourself, suffer from a bite by a fish, and many other problems, this can and will help to stop the bleeding !
Orange / Yellow Buoyancy Aid (SABS) with Whistle – [/b]like said before, it’s much more visible than the other “popular†colours and should also have reflective tape on it. Law should state that you may NOT remove it while on your kayak at sea, cause as you know, YOU ARE ALONE OUT THERE.
100m x Anchor Rope, 2m chain and a anchor[/b] – should you get into difficulty this can and will help you to stay IN ONE PLACE until help arrives.
1 x Rigged Drogue Anchor[/b] – should your anchor not be able to help you the drogue anchor can, and if you don’t understand how it works you won’t understand the need for it. If the wind blows in one direction and the stream is pulling in another it can help with slowing drifting down. But that’s not it’s only purpose, it can also let the stream take you with it if need be. From a fishing point of view, if a big fish pulls you it can be used to create drag, tiring the fish quicker. Remember your kayak slides over the water, so a good fish can very easily tow you 1-2nm out to sea
1 x Rigged Orange[/b] [/b]ID[/b] Sheet[/b][/b] – this is AN ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE, and if you go missing, you throw this out, it makes spotting you from the air MUCH EASIER.
1 x Fog Horn[/b] – another small but essential item, that makes much more noise than your screaming for help can.
1 x Handheld Compass [/b]– but you need to know how to use it ofcourse, can help you row towards land when it’s dark, when you’re deep in the sea and can’t see land or when there is A.LOT of mist, even works when a GPS doesn’t work.
1 x Handheld GPS with SPARE BATTERIES in a Waterproof pouch[/b] – you know why you need it, you need it for the same reasons as a compass, it’s just easier to use.
1 x Rescue Blanket[/b] – cause nights at sea can get PRETTY DAMN COLD, helps you retain body heat.
1 x Signalling Mirror[/b] – again, to attract attention to yourself, worth it’s weight in gold !!!
1 x Waterproof Torch with Spare Batteries and Spare Bulb[/b] – again to attract attention to yourself, extremely important for “unscheduled extended stays†at sea.
1L drinking water – also very important, cause if you out at sea and need to row back a long distance you gonna get very thirsty, 2-3L would ofcourse be better, but space needs to be looked at.
2-3x Energy Bars for food and maybe a Red Bull or similar[/b] - to help with energy levels when long unscheduled rowing is required
1 x CellPhone in a waterproof pouch[/b] – an absolute must have, not to phone with (cause that chows battery power), but to send an Emergency SMS with, save the NSRI number on your phone, did you know a celphone can be used to track you ?
A SPARE PADDLE[/b] - even a cheapie, it could save your life, cause on a kayak if you lose your paddle you are in BIG TROUBLE. You get the small ones with the hard plastic paddle (like we must have on our boats), they will fit in your fish hatch and don’t take a lot of space.
1 x Smoke Marker[/b] – best USED DURING THE DAY when a rescue vessel CAN BE SEEN. They create a orange cloud around you and they float. I repeat, only when you can see the “rescue vesselâ€
2-4 x Pencil Flares[/b] – not great but good enough to attract attention to yourself, either when fairly close to shore or when you can see another vessel. Best at night, cause they are normally “white†flares.
2 x Rocket Parachute Flares[/b] – the best of the bunch, these go much higher, are visible for longer and hang in the air for longer, they are also red, so can be used day or night. YOU MUST HAVE 2 OF THEM.
To put into perspective
My boat is seaworthied Category B, and I have all the safety equipment required by law, but on top of that, I also have EXTRA flares, I also have a SEALED handheld GPS, I carry emergency food and I carry 50L of drinking water, why, WELL JUST IN CASE. There are also more extras but the point is not listing everything, the point is I prepare myself for the day when things don’t go as planned.
My boat is also foamed more than required, with ATLEAST 80% of the hull filled with foam, not because of the law, but because anything can happen and if it happens I want my vessel to float, NOT SINK, cause the vessel as bigger than me, easier to spot from the air, and can and will make the rescue much quicker.
A white boat looks great, but I don’t care about looking good, I want to be seen if I need help, for that reason my boat is red and yellow, sure it would have looked much nicer in white, but that’s not the point.
I’m also required to carry spares and tools, but any person that’s worked on a boat will tell the you spares you MUST CARRY is pretty useless, and because of that I carry much more than is required by law. Everything is vacuum packed and put in a dedicated location, including extra screwdrivers, an extra plug spanner, a spare battery, jumper cables, wiring that’s TWICE the length of my vessel, extra nuts, bolts, screws and even a SPARE FUEL PUMP. Not because the law says so, but because I want the ability to help myself out in the deep if I have to.
If my boat was to break out in the deep I would only start worrying after 7 days at sea, cause at this stage, I have enough to keep me and 5 other people pretty comfortable for that long. Again not because the law says so, because as skipper and owner of the vessel, ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY. If it were to happen and they get to us 5 days after it happened they'll probably find us fishing and still having fun, since we won't be able to row to shore. We'll be well fed and well hydrated during that period.
On a kayak, your safety and wellbeing IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
I might have missed a few things, but this is what came to mind as I typed this.
Catch big fish, and lots of them, but think ahead for your own safety.
- Small first aid kit[/*]
- Orange / Yellow Buoyancy Aid (SABS) with Whistle[/*]
- 100m x Anchor Rope, 2m chain and a anchor[/*]
- 1 x Rigged Drogue Anchor[/*]
- 1 x Rigged Orange ID Sheet[/*]
- 1 x Fog Horn[/*]
- 1 x Handheld Compass[/*]
- 1 x Handheld GPS with SPARE BATTERIES in a Waterproof pouch[/*]
- 1 x Rescue Blanket[/*]
- 1 x Signalling Mirror[/*]
- 1 x Waterproof Torch with Spare Batteries and Spare Bulb[/*]
- 1L drinking water[/*]
- 2-3x Energy Bars for food [/*]
- 1 x CellPhone in a waterproof pouch[/*]
- A SPARE PADDLE, even a cheapie, it could safe your life[/*]
- 1 x Smoke Marker[/*]
- 2-4 x Pencil Flares[/*]
- 2 x Rocket Parachute Flares
To change the idea that I'm hijacking a thread about a kayaker that's missing at sea (not on a fishing kayak), I created this new thread ... because I’m also a vessel angler …
Further, I’m not a kayak angler, which was said to me a few times, but I still know the see pretty well, and out of concern for fellow anglers I feel the obligation to voice my opinion, whether some like it or not !
Personally I believe the safety equipment carried on a kayak is not sufficient, not even by a long shot.
I also believe that because no formal courses were done most (not all) kayakers don't know what to do, when to do it and why they have to do it.
I will take a few pics of things that I believe all kayakers should have on their kayaks and also discuss a few things that I personally believe is wrong, actually ALOT of things are wrong.
Kayakers complain about the regulations, let me tell you something, get yourself a boat and THEN you will only see what marine regulations are . . . you are not hit as hard as you think you are.
Some say, we are adults, we should know what we need to be safe, well, if the regulations say 1 flare chances are good 99% would only take that one flare. Unfortunately laws are not created to control the well informed individual, but to control the not so well informed masses, and it creates a good standard.
Some good advice, go and buy the “SANLAM SKIPPERS GUIDE FOR SMALL VESSEL SEAMANSHIP", it will cost you about R 80 and will teach you more than you can ever learn by yourself.
ANY trip to sea can turn into an extended one, prepare yourself for it !
Some issues
STUPID COLOURED KAYAKS[/b], incl WHITE, BLUE, GREEN and every other colour that is EXTREMELY difficult to spot. GOOD COLOURS ARE RED, ORANGE AND YELLOW, with Yellow and Orange being the better choices. Sure a white boat and a white kayak looks nice, but that’s all, it just looks nice !
On a kayak you have a VERY SMALL FOOTPRINT, first of all the kayak is very small and also very low on the water. This makes it very difficult for OTHER FASTER TRAVELLING vessels to see you, and in case of emergency, IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE for a rescue craft to see you. Maybe even a small orange flag fixed about 1.5m above the kayak would be good, but not practical as it would get damaged easily during launching and beaching, but could and would improve visibility.
Clothes that kayakers wear. A black wetsuit with a blue "buoyancy aid", now that helps alot aswell, that makes it even more difficult to see a kayaker. Again I say Red, Yellow or Orange. I will rather look "ugly" and be found that good and not be found if you know what I mean.
Distance limitation
Looking at the SAMSA rules, there simply aren't sufficient rules regarding kayaks, according to the rules there are NO DISTANCE LIMITATION on a kayak, so they can pretty much go anywhere they want to. Now that is a BIG problem, cause first of all they are not equipped to be far from shore, and second, they depend on a person in a good and healthy condition to propel them. Personally believe 1nm, maybe pushing it to 2nm ABSOLUTELY MAX. Some people actually think they can go 3-5nm from the shoreline on a kayak, that's just crazy, in fact, it’s bloody reckless if you ask me.
LAWS need to be written that CONTROLS the manufacturers of kayaks. Every Tom, Dick and Harry are starting to build kayaks, THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED, there should be a standard that needs to be followed.
Buoyancy on Kayaks
30% as an absolute minimum, and it should be SPREAD THROUGHOUT the hull of the kayak, NOT JUST IN THE BACK. This can be done by adding pool noodles, but should actually be built into the kayak during manufacturing.
A Safe way of carrying safety equipment, cause you know what, if your kayak goes down then so does all your “survival equipment†! If you are separated from your kayak you are also separated from your safety equipment. If a kayak is filled with water and a hatch full of tackle and everything else, can it still carry you, it should float with you ON TOP OF IT, holding on for dear life ! In fact, it should have a short capsize rope attached to it aswell.
A national body that controls the issue of “permitsâ€, exactly the same as with all boats. All kayaks should be surveyed on a yearly basis. After all, they are sea-going vessels, and should conform to a standard, with a safety certificate being issued after a survey. The rules controlling RIVER BOATS are much stricter than SEA GOING KAYAKS. I understand it will cost you money, just like it costs every other owner of a seagoing vessel money, that’s life, and it’s there for your own good.
Some form of training, even if just a VERY BASIC 1 day course with a attendance certificate issued afterwards, this course should detail some basic rules of the sea, cover the use of flares and other safety equipment and also the LEAVING OF DETAILS for emergencies, like I said, a basic course.
Ask Ski-boat anglers who have encountered surfers and kayakers on the water, most will tell you this … they are hard to see, especially when the sun is in your eyes, and they don’t think twice about launching or “beaching†while a BIGGER VESSEL is busy doing the same, they also tend not to think twice about crossing your path, which is not the end of the world, but not good “sea etticet†and dangerous due to visibility factors.
Launching - the advantage of kayaking and also the biggest problem. You can launch anywhere and nobody could even know about it, this is a catch 22 situation, that’s why it’s so important that EMERGENCY information is left with a responsible SOBER person with very clear instructions.
1 man vessel, another plus with a big problem, cause if you get hurt and you cannot call for help there is no-one that can help you. On a Boat we are not allowed to go to sea alone, but it’s a problem that cannot be overcome on a kayak or 1 man vessel, it is ofcourse recommended that you not go to sea alone, but rather in groups, but it’s not always possible or practical.
Looking at the safety equipment I listed, well it’s not as much as you think it is, and in an emergency, you will be extremely happy you have it, that much I can promise you.
A discussion on the equipment :
Small first aid kit – [/b]it’s an absolute must have, you can cut yourself, suffer from a bite by a fish, and many other problems, this can and will help to stop the bleeding !
Orange / Yellow Buoyancy Aid (SABS) with Whistle – [/b]like said before, it’s much more visible than the other “popular†colours and should also have reflective tape on it. Law should state that you may NOT remove it while on your kayak at sea, cause as you know, YOU ARE ALONE OUT THERE.
100m x Anchor Rope, 2m chain and a anchor[/b] – should you get into difficulty this can and will help you to stay IN ONE PLACE until help arrives.
1 x Rigged Drogue Anchor[/b] – should your anchor not be able to help you the drogue anchor can, and if you don’t understand how it works you won’t understand the need for it. If the wind blows in one direction and the stream is pulling in another it can help with slowing drifting down. But that’s not it’s only purpose, it can also let the stream take you with it if need be. From a fishing point of view, if a big fish pulls you it can be used to create drag, tiring the fish quicker. Remember your kayak slides over the water, so a good fish can very easily tow you 1-2nm out to sea
1 x Rigged Orange[/b] [/b]ID[/b] Sheet[/b][/b] – this is AN ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE, and if you go missing, you throw this out, it makes spotting you from the air MUCH EASIER.
1 x Fog Horn[/b] – another small but essential item, that makes much more noise than your screaming for help can.
1 x Handheld Compass [/b]– but you need to know how to use it ofcourse, can help you row towards land when it’s dark, when you’re deep in the sea and can’t see land or when there is A.LOT of mist, even works when a GPS doesn’t work.
1 x Handheld GPS with SPARE BATTERIES in a Waterproof pouch[/b] – you know why you need it, you need it for the same reasons as a compass, it’s just easier to use.
1 x Rescue Blanket[/b] – cause nights at sea can get PRETTY DAMN COLD, helps you retain body heat.
1 x Signalling Mirror[/b] – again, to attract attention to yourself, worth it’s weight in gold !!!
1 x Waterproof Torch with Spare Batteries and Spare Bulb[/b] – again to attract attention to yourself, extremely important for “unscheduled extended stays†at sea.
1L drinking water – also very important, cause if you out at sea and need to row back a long distance you gonna get very thirsty, 2-3L would ofcourse be better, but space needs to be looked at.
2-3x Energy Bars for food and maybe a Red Bull or similar[/b] - to help with energy levels when long unscheduled rowing is required
1 x CellPhone in a waterproof pouch[/b] – an absolute must have, not to phone with (cause that chows battery power), but to send an Emergency SMS with, save the NSRI number on your phone, did you know a celphone can be used to track you ?
A SPARE PADDLE[/b] - even a cheapie, it could save your life, cause on a kayak if you lose your paddle you are in BIG TROUBLE. You get the small ones with the hard plastic paddle (like we must have on our boats), they will fit in your fish hatch and don’t take a lot of space.
1 x Smoke Marker[/b] – best USED DURING THE DAY when a rescue vessel CAN BE SEEN. They create a orange cloud around you and they float. I repeat, only when you can see the “rescue vesselâ€
2-4 x Pencil Flares[/b] – not great but good enough to attract attention to yourself, either when fairly close to shore or when you can see another vessel. Best at night, cause they are normally “white†flares.
2 x Rocket Parachute Flares[/b] – the best of the bunch, these go much higher, are visible for longer and hang in the air for longer, they are also red, so can be used day or night. YOU MUST HAVE 2 OF THEM.
To put into perspective
My boat is seaworthied Category B, and I have all the safety equipment required by law, but on top of that, I also have EXTRA flares, I also have a SEALED handheld GPS, I carry emergency food and I carry 50L of drinking water, why, WELL JUST IN CASE. There are also more extras but the point is not listing everything, the point is I prepare myself for the day when things don’t go as planned.
My boat is also foamed more than required, with ATLEAST 80% of the hull filled with foam, not because of the law, but because anything can happen and if it happens I want my vessel to float, NOT SINK, cause the vessel as bigger than me, easier to spot from the air, and can and will make the rescue much quicker.
A white boat looks great, but I don’t care about looking good, I want to be seen if I need help, for that reason my boat is red and yellow, sure it would have looked much nicer in white, but that’s not the point.
I’m also required to carry spares and tools, but any person that’s worked on a boat will tell the you spares you MUST CARRY is pretty useless, and because of that I carry much more than is required by law. Everything is vacuum packed and put in a dedicated location, including extra screwdrivers, an extra plug spanner, a spare battery, jumper cables, wiring that’s TWICE the length of my vessel, extra nuts, bolts, screws and even a SPARE FUEL PUMP. Not because the law says so, but because I want the ability to help myself out in the deep if I have to.
If my boat was to break out in the deep I would only start worrying after 7 days at sea, cause at this stage, I have enough to keep me and 5 other people pretty comfortable for that long. Again not because the law says so, because as skipper and owner of the vessel, ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY. If it were to happen and they get to us 5 days after it happened they'll probably find us fishing and still having fun, since we won't be able to row to shore. We'll be well fed and well hydrated during that period.
On a kayak, your safety and wellbeing IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
I might have missed a few things, but this is what came to mind as I typed this.
Catch big fish, and lots of them, but think ahead for your own safety.
