On-water Group Management and Communication

by

by Ralph Gardave
(GLSKA Trip Committee Chair)
As the Trip Committee Coordinator I get feedback from trip leaders regarding The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of their trip leading experiences. The most frequent concern I hear about is challenges in managing the group on the water. To me the art of group management on the water breaks down into three key areas: (1) The Leader, (2) The Group itself, and (3) The Sweep.

The leader needs to have a clear plan of how they expect the group to travel and communicate with each other on the water. One of the first things the leader should do is assess the levels of expertise within the group to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the members. This will help you identify the members that you can rely on to lend assistance should the need arise. The leader also needs to be aware of any members that require more “diligent” monitoring. In a particularly large group, the leader may ask one of the more experienced members to travel in the middle of the group so that all the “experts” aren’t always at the front. It is important to designate one person to be the sweep for the group. In the event that you have several radios, a communication channel for monitoring should be agreed to prior to setting out on the paddle.

The leader’s expectations need to be communicated to the group and the sweep before heading out. For example, how far apart it is acceptable for the members to be before it will be a concern. At what point should the sweep notify the leader that the group is becoming too spread out? What are the paddle and whistle signals that are to be used on the water? In the event of a capsize what do you want the other members to do while the rescue is taking place? Which paddlers have tow systems and know how to use them? Prior to departure the leader should review the whistle and paddle signals that are to be used so that everyone is on the same page. On the water the leader needs to make a conscious effort to look back regularly, at the group to ensure that the group is travelling as expected.

The leader needs to be aware of situational and sea state conditions that can necessitate a change in the paddling formation of the group. Traversing a busy boating channel is an example of a situational change. The leader should gather the group together in a tight formation. In this way you will create a more visible presence on the water to nearby boat traffic. This formation will also help move the group through the channel in the least amount of time. An example of a conditions change would be going around a point of land or island. Travelling around the southern tip of Beausoleil Island is an example of where you can often experience a change in conditions. As you become more or less exposed to the wind the sea state can change considerably. Also the depth of the water changes dramatically so even the same wind conditions can significantly change the sea state.

Every member should, by law, have a whistle so this is a good tool for effective communication. One blast of the whistle is used to call attention to the whistle blower. Voice or paddle signals can then be used to communicate thereafter. The universal distress signal is three short blasts on the whistle. In the event that you capsize it is a good idea to notify the group immediately that you are in the water. Even though you may not feel that you need assistance it is a good idea to make sure that others in the group are aware of your situation. This way they can already be headed back to you in the event that something does go wrong and you need their help. Slapping hard on the bottom of your boat (three times), while it is capsized, can be a very effective way to gain immediate attention. This can then be followed up with three whistle blasts.

Many people choose to travel in groups for the comfort of knowing that there is assistance nearby should the need arise. When you are paddling in a group you should make a concerted effort to travel within the expectations that have been outlined by the leader. You need to be in close proximity of the group so that if you need assistance, or are needed to assist someone else, you are close enough to be able to do so in a timely manner. It is inconsiderate, and possibly detrimental to the safety of the group, to have the leader or sweep manage you because you are not following the expectations of the group. The leader or the sweep may be needed to assist someone elsewhere in the event of an emergency. It is the individual responsibility of all paddlers to monitor their own energy levels and know the limits of their ability for the sea conditions. If you become tired or uncomfortable with the sea conditions you need to communicate this to the leader or sweep so that they can take appropriate action.

The sweep, as the name implies, paddles at the back of the group to ensure that paddlers are not left behind or the group becomes too spread out. The sweep is also likely to be the “Second in Command” should the need arise. Often when asked to describe their skill levels, paddlers may exaggerate their abilities level to fit into the group. It is important that the sweep monitors the performance of the members to identify potential problems or persons that are tired or uncomfortable before it becomes a problem for the whole group. In the event that you do not have radios for immediate communication, the sweep should keep the leader apprised of any concerns regarding how the group is travelling and about challenges that you observe among the members. In the event that the sweep observes an emergency he or she may be the one to signal with the whistle and attend to the rescue if first to the scene. The sweep may also be the paddler who gathers the other paddlers together if the rescue is already underway.

See the signals for use on GLSKA Trips in the GLSKA Trip Guidelines.

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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.