G'Day, The following summarises some ideas five of us had on coping with a paddler lost on a night paddle (see earlier email). I've tried to summarise the responses of the five Paddlewisers: Bob Carter, Paul Hayward, Craig Jungers and Doug' Lloyd. Thank you all for taking the time to give your thoughtful and knowledgeable inputs. I've included some of my own ideas but not too many. I've only occasionally acknowledged individuals for any particular points in case I misquote or take out of context. Hopefully this summary is useful but you can't beat reading the original posts. EQUIPMENT This is a cut down version of the items that were suggested. I've included some routine equipment here because of its direct relevance to the scenario - it's obviously not a complete list of what to carry at sea: such things as tow ropes, spare paddles, food, sea worthy kayaks etc are assumed. Signalling equipment (note some of these would be carried routinely) * Whistle * 406 MHz PLB with in built GPS * VHF worn on the paddler not kept on the boat * Pre-programmed mobile phone in waterproof pack worn on paddler not kept in boat * Hand Held flares * Pen rocket flares * 3 cyalume chemical lightsticks or equivalent low level lighting * Combination Strobe and Steady PFD-mounted light * LED waterproof flashlight * PFD's to be fitted with reflective tape Other Safety Equipment * Escort boat particularly if there is no reliable (VHF or mobile phone) comm's with a search and rescue headquarters (SAR) * GPS * Ginger (for nausea) (or personal medication as required) PREPARATION There was a strong emphasis on preparation, and capability - with agreed protocols for communication including, * All paddlers to be very familiar with the route at least as a daytime paddle * Agreed signals in the event of a kayaker separating * Agreed radio channels for radio communication * Paddler and SAR mobile phone numbers preprogrammed * Agreed rescue protocols based on a buddy system * Agreed group formation and roles within the group * Agreed protocols for notifying the group of sickness or personal difficulty * Agreed protocol in event of loss of a paddler * History of paddling and carrying out exercises together * SAR to be notified of trip plan * Communication with SAR known to be possible or else cancel trip or set up an escort vessel MANAGING GROUP SPREAD Two slightly different approaches were suggested - i) The paddlers with night experience in these conditions were looking after the outer boundaries of the group ii) The group should be organised with enough paddlers with night experience to allow buddying a night experienced with a less experienced paddler It was suggested that five was too many for the group and that four would have been a more manageable group. OTOH Bob Carter pointed out the possibility for a rescue in which the group split into two groups of two. One group to search and rescue, another to go for help Throughout the paddle it was crucial to be in very regular contact either by VHF or preferably to always be within talking range Early notification of sickness or difficulties was required and of course a willingness for the whole group to return together in that event. SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS IN THE EVENT OF A LOST PADDLER 1. ORGANISING HELP The suggested sequence tended to follow the pattern * Group up * Spend about three minutes trying to contact lost paddler by VHF and/or whistle * Notify SAR or escort vessel of possible difficulty if this was not possible call Pan Pan explaining you were going to search for about ten minutes * If paddler not found after this time call SAR for help or call Mayday if SAR not contactable * One of us (me) would have called for help prior to setting up the search After calling for help there were several alternative approaches to next actions i) If SAR not raised search for another ten to fifteen minutes than paddle to start point and raise help ii) If SAR not raised split group - two kayakers to paddle for help, two to continue search iii) If SAR was raised group to stay in area and continue searching while continuing to use VHF to call missing paddler until SAR arrived 2. SEARCHING FOR THE MISSING PADDLER It was likely that the Paddler was disabled. No strobe, VHF or other lights have been switched on by the missing paddle and given the 'tight' group control one might have expected that these signals could have been used. A whistle might or might not be audible. The concensus seemed to be for about ten to fifteen minutes of searching and using a sweep of paddlers line abreast with lights switched on so that reflective tape could have been seen. (Please correct me if I'm wrong here). This suggests two sweeps I'm guessing four paddlers spread over 100 to 200 metres so a total area covered of maybe 500m x 1km. (again correct me If I'm wrong). Following this the paddlers would have gone for help or split into two groups one to search and one to go for help as suggested by Bob Carter above. Doug' pointed out the importance of knowing the current strength and direction. As it's highly likely everyone was using GPS this might already be known or be usefully checked as part of the search pattern. I would do this after calling for assistance but I'm not expert in this. Two replies suggested searching near the shore. This was probably assuming there was a gap or landing spot amongst the cliffs, and a gap in the bommies. Perhaps the slight offshore wind would have made it less likely. OTOH on the three occasions I've helped in serious search and rescues they were all found on shore eventually. Paul and Craig made the point that if you can easily get to shore or an escort boat the comms are going to be very much better. Another point worth noting is that if your VHF doesn't work in one position get someone ten or so metres away to try their VHF or paddle to a different position and try again. Its odd but I've known this to work and can think of several explanations. If I've got any of this wrong or made an inappropriate emphasis please let me know. All the best and again thanks, 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. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jul 06 2009 - 06:22:03 PDT
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