Kayak Safety Tips

by

by Paula Huber

From my 40 years’ experience as a cold water scuba diving instructor, cold water scuba diver and zodiac hard hull dive boat operator I have learned many lessons about safety in and on the water. These lessons are transferable to kayaking.

COMMON SENSE

Be mentally and physically prepared for your paddle day. We all have stressors in our lives. A day on the water should challenge and refresh us not create anxiety, tension, and frustration that may put our safety and that of others at risk. If that little voice inside of you says don’t do it then don’t. There is always another time to paddle. You and your paddle companions should respect each other and be able to openly and freely discuss the day’s paddle without fear of ostracism. In a group situation all members’ abilities, mental and physical, need to be respected. A safe compromise can always be achieved before leaving shore. Have a plan B. Mentally rehearse worst case scenarios and how you intend to react to them. Plan B can also include spending the day ashore to savour your surroundings. Maintain your equipment. Do a last minute check of your kayak and its equipment before entering it and leaving shore.

KNOW THE ENVIRONMENT

Educate yourself to not only perform paddle skills but also to respect and understand the cold water environment. In our paddle environment high winds will often subside or decrease substantially at 12 noon or early evening. Listen to marine weather reports and plan your paddle accordingly. For instance, paddle into the wind outbound and with the wind inbound. A shore day can turn out to be very enjoyable, what’s the rush? Dress for the water temperature and conditions. Water conducts heat 25 times faster from our bodies than does air. Practice re-entry into your kayak to reduce submersion time in the water.

KEEP WARM

Remember, a leak in your dry suit will allow it to fill with water to rapidly chill you and impair your mobility to get back into your kayak. A wet suit will ALWAYS provide thermal protection upon submersion in cold water and you will retain your mobility to facilitate re-entry into your kayak. Synthetics are great, but wool will keep you warm even when wet. Your body heat will dry it from the inside out. Consider wool clothing for both hot and cold paddle conditions.

ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOU ARE

Learn to use navigation aids such as compass, GPS, navigation/topographic charts. Always take and know how to use back up navigation devices. Practice your skills on each paddle and carry spare batteries if relying on electronics.

PANIC PACK

This is separate from trip gear. It is for emergency use. Even on short day trips I carry extra clothing, food, water in case I get stranded somewhere. Contents can be put into a dry bag and stored inside the cockpit just past the foot pedals if there is room. This is what I carry in my panic pack- wool socks, toque, mitts/gloves, neck warmer, foil blanket/bivy sack, large plastic garbage bag/small tarp, matches/ lighter, dryer fluff to start fire with, metal cook pot/mug, spoon, rain/warm outer jacket, wool pants, top, wool sweater, dry food for one to two days. And lastly, remember Murphy’s Law – If anything can go wrong it will.

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GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.