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

    As a member of the local Search and Rescue unit (SAR)here is my 
suggestions.
    First before starting out establish a float plan. Since this is night 
paddling the margins for error are greater. Tell everyone to stay together. 
The fast paddlers need to ease up a bit and the slow paddler need to pick it 
up a bit. Make sure everyone has a whistle and some type of reliable light. 
make sure everyone knows that if someone becomes seperated from the group 
then the remaining paddlers gather with the leader before searhing. 
Otherwise you r group is too spread out for a search or, and I have seen 
this happen, the searchers become lost!
    Second since this is a night paddle when something goes wrong it often 
has a domino effect where things get worse quickly. If a member of the group 
were missing I would gather the remaining paddlers together and return to 
where the missing person was last seen. PLS (Place Last Seen in SAR jargon.) 
As you return to the PLS I would fan out the remaining paddlers to cover a 
lot of the search area. This includes one person traveling as close to shore 
as possible. One of my concerns would be vertigo brought on by night 
paddling. In this case the missing person may not be able to respond to 
hails.
    If the person was not found I would immediately contact the Coast Guard. 
If there is a problem, sickness injury ect. then time is critical. If I 
could not establish radio contact (even if there are no repeater give it a 
try incase a fishing vessel picks up your message) I would send the two 
fastest paddlers to paddle together back to the harbor (the reason for two 
if the first rule of SAR is not to create more victims.) The remaining 
paddlers would fan out and slowly paddle setting up a search pattern to 
cover as much ground as possible.

Hope this helps
Bob




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "rebyl_kayak" <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com>

> G'Day Craig and Paul,
>
> Something I've not covered is the situation regarding the NSW Maritime Code as
> it applys to kayakers along the coast. Before I describe it from a kayaking
> perspective thought I'd try to set the background with a scenario and
> question. One I've been meaning to ask Paddlewisers for a long time.
>
> Imagine you are the leader of a group either formally through signing an
> agreement at the start of a trip or informally 'elected' as the most
> experienced member in a troublesome situation.
>
> There are five of you paddling north on a moonless, cloudless night about a
> kilometer off the east coast. This stretch of coast is mostly uninhabited
> cliffs with no landing. The cliff line runs roughly south to north between a
> harbour and a beach 10km north of the harbour. The beach has no significant
> surf. . There are bommies every so often within 50m to 200m of the cliffs.
> There are no bars, or tide races en route. You have left a trip plan with the
> local coastal patrol.
>
> The sea is showing white caps and is 1.5 metres on top of a 2 to 3 metre
> southerly swell. The wind is around 12 to 15 knots from the North East,
> expected to turn NW later in the evening. Forecasts in this area are usually
> reliable. You and your buddy are strong paddlers, very experienced in paddling
> at night. The three others are strong paddlers well used to these conditions
> for day time paddling. but their night time paddling has been in harbours and
> estuaries and they are a bit nervous. All of you know each other, and all have
> well practiced rescue, roll and self rescue skills in these sea conditions.
> There are no VHF repeater stations along the cliff. You've chucked your ipods
> and sunglasses into the sea where they have been stolen by beautiful mermaids:~)
>
> * How would you ensure you didn't lose a member of the group
>
> * If you did lose a member of the group how much time would you spend
> searching before calling for help. What methods would you use for the search
> and for the call?
>
> * If it were daytime how much time would you spend searching before calling
> for help. What methods would you use?
>
> BTW occasionally I lead trips like this during the day when called on by my
> mates, but although I've also led night time paddles I wouldn't lead a paddle
> like the one described. One or two of my very capable friends do and describe
> them well. Of course the point I'm trying to make is pretty obvious, but 
> I'm keen to hear a broader view.
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