Hi! I'm fascinated to see garbage bags as an alternative on your list. I have considered carrying a contractor strength, large garbage bag in case of capsize of a person without a wetsuit or dry suit (this was precipitated by an incident a couple of years ago where I had great trouble rescuing a friend who was much less competent that they had portrayed themselves to be in doing rescues). It seemed to me that if the person could open and get into the bag, even with a lot of water, it would greatly reduce the flow-by cooling effect of the water and even allow a constant layer of warmer water to stay by their skin. This could buy some much needed time. However, when I have tried to discuss this with other kayakers locally, they all poo-pooed it and indicated it would be a waste of time. Could you let me know why the garbage bag as an alternative in your plan? And, have you heard of one being used, and how did it work? Thanks. Pam in Washington State BASIC EQUIPMENT Well maintained sea kayak with secondary buoyancy and at least 2 bulkheads, or a fitted sea-sock Fitted deck lines, paddle and paddle leash, spray skirt, sponge, bailer and pump system, PFD with a suitable whistle attached by a lanyard, Cag or paddle jacket, warm clothing, all accessible from the cockpit, Food and two litres of water - all accessible from the cockpit, Footwear suitable for paddling, swimming and walking on rocks, Further warm clothing, waterproof clothing, footwear, food, water and a day pack, secured in dry storage in the kayak, Tow rope - with suitable bag and fittings for quick deployment Hands-free bailing pump system (i.e. electric or foot pump), Spare paddle, Personal first aid kit, garbage bags and/or 'space blanket', Personal medication as required Compass and charts mouinted on deck with key names marked in larger print GPS Instantly accessible knife, Kayak plumbers patch repair kit Personal tether attached to PFD for connection if necessary to boat - not mandatory but I would have one Emergency energy bars in pocket of PFD SIGNAL EQUIPMENT equivalent to Flares in day hatch and minirocket flares in waterproof pack tethered inside back pack of PFD 406 MHz PLB incorporating GPS in waterproof pack tethered inside backpack of PFD VHF radio Boat or person mounted low intensity lights as described in previous posts capable of being seen over 360 degrees and normally on all the time Waterproof head torch, normally off, but for use for reading GPS phone etc Shoulder mounted high intensity strobe or steady light capable of lasting 12 hours only for emergency Mobile phone with each paddlers number and the SAR number preprogrammed for easy dialling NOTES ON EQUIPMENT All electronic equipment to be freshly charged Personal tether is not mandatory I would carry one ready to be deployed if I was lost The mobile phone may sound odd, but in Oz its often more reliable than the VHF and the Coast guard invariably ask if you have one when you make a VHF call PREPARATION I would require that all paddlers be very familiar with the route having frequently paddled it in day time and in the conditions expected. The only novelty for three of the paddlers is that they are doing it at night. All five paddlers should be experienced at night paddling, but three will not have paddled at night on the open sea in conditions like this. Rendezvous points should be established en route for use as a last resort in the event of a multiple separation. En route this could be just prior to reaching a headland ie not so close as to be hazardous (bommies excessive rebound). All of this to be on the trip plan and the coast guard notified. An appropriate VHF communication channel to be agreed beforehand for use within the group and the coastguard notified of this when presenting the trip plan. The coastguard should be familiar with kayaks carrying out this kind of exercise i.e the group or at least the leader should be registered with the coastguard and know them well. The leader should be familiar with the communications difficulties en route and have at least one mode of communication available (mobile or VHF). The leader should check with the Coastguard that SAR is available on the night, if not the trip to be called off. Days beforehand everyone should have programmed and tested their mobiles with quick dial telephone numbers for the group and for SAR. This is not to be done on the day. Days beforehand the trip plan and on water protocols should have been circulated and discussed by the group. The group should have a history of doing significant exercises together (rescues tows rolling etc) under the sea conditions expected. Evening before the leader to ring each participant and check if they are ready and OK to go. Its understood that the trip will be cancelled if weather is in excess of that planned, any sign of sickness and it's a no go for the participant. Likewise if the leader or 2IC is sick the trip is called off. Absolutely no moral or peer pressure to be used on a participant to continue with the trip if they are hesitant. Set up half the cars at the beach if possible so that it isn't necessary to paddle back During the day and at the trip briefing - usual checks weather, route, coastguard etc. Trip briefing before the trip to include equipment count and : - 1. Remind everyone that if they separate from the group and from their boat their chances of survival are remote unless they use their PLB. (For a trip like this they would be expected to know this already). 2. Mandatory instruction that the group stay within formation and within easy talking distance of each other all the time. The skill level of all paddlers should be such that they can easily manoeuvre and rove between boats in the conditions expected even though that is not what is being asked for. I would place the three less experienced paddlers together in a row as buddies looking out for each other. The leader and 2IC are just behind them and rove forward regularly to communicate with the three. The role of the 2IC's job is to pre-empt any hint of group spread. The leader's job is to maintain the group on course. Both the 2IC and the leader are keeping an eye on the three paddlers for signs of difficulty. DESPITE THIS SOMETHING HAPPENS Group up the remaining kayakers. Strictly no searching as separate groups Instruct 2IC and Paddlers to each make a note of the GPS position either electronically or with grease pencil on hull of boat. Use whistle three short blasts wait for reply No reply - Repeat Radio the missing kayaker No reply Call coastguard and request SAR for missing kayaker If communication with coastguard fails call Mayday immediately. At this point I would not attempt to search outside a box of about 30 meters square. but would maintain position and group as a priority, searching within the box as a second priority and continue to use the whistle and the VHF radio to call for the boat until arrival of SAR or other rescue craft. Making sure that the group remains centred on the GPS position awaiting arrival of SAR. I don't pretend this is an adequate plan. It usually takes me days to work out such a plan and the one I was originally going to put to Paddlewise was simpler for a day time trip. Hopefully it gives enough idea of key elements I'm using that it can be critiqued. Thanks for all the responses so far. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. 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