Re: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)

My lack of local knowledge makes this difficult; especially trying to
outguess the weather. But I think there are too many paddlers. I'd prefer
one-on-one for experienced to inexperienced so one of the newbies will have
to stay home tonight. This will make two teams of two paddlers. They should
stick together no matter what.

Each paddler should have on his/her person:

VHF
GPS
Hand Held Pen Flares (if available, otherwise any maritime emergency flare)
Ginger (for nausea)
Tow Belt
3 cyalume chemical lightsticks
Combination Strobe and Steady PFD-mounted light
LED waterproof flashlight
Drysuits
Protein snacks
Drinking water

Because of the difficulty communciating with SAR along the proposed route it
seems prudent to me to arrange for a launch or powerboat to accompany the
paddlers. It's a short route (10k) but the increased ability of a launch to
communciate (25w VHF and high gain antenna) would increase safety. The
launch would also relieve the paddlers of taking care of an incapacitated
paddler who succumbs to sea sickness.

All paddlers should be briefed regarding the risks of sea sickness and
instructed to take ginger at the first symptoms (lethargy and mild nausea).
Ginger is a proven remedy for sea sickness and is cheap and easy to get.

If one paddler goes missing the trip leader should immediately notify the
launch and all persons should mark a waypoint on their GPS units. The launch
should attempt to contact the missing paddler via VHF and visual means and
drop back as much as one nautical mile while searching. If no sight of the
missing paddler(s) the launch should initiate a pan-pan call on VHF channel
16. The remaining three paddlers should group together and keep a sharp
lookout for the missing paddler pending a decision to continue to the
destination.

After 15 minutes of seaching the launch should initiate SAR communications;
this might require that the launch move to a position where VHF contact is
possible.

If any paddler loses the rest of the group (s)he should be instructed to
activate the strobe light on the PFD, call the launch on the VHF channel
agreed upon, attempt to re-enter the kayak but if unable to do that stay
with the kayak and await help.

NOTES: If the paddle were along a coastline where there were possible
landing zones and better communications with SAR authorities I would not
require the launch. But given the two new paddlers and the risk of sea
sickness on a night paddle in the open ocean I think it would be prudent.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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