Basic Safety Procedures
- Be aware of, and be prepared for, existing conditions. These include: wind speed and direction, swell size and direction, tide changes, air temperature, and water temperature.
- The coach (or if no coach, the steersman) is ultimately responsible for evaluating the conditions and setting an appropriate course. Crew members may express concerns if they're uncomfortable with the conditions, which the coach or steersman will take under advisement.
- Be capable of treading water and swimming in case of a huli (capsize).
- Understand your seat's responsibilities in the event of a huli. Periodically before leaving the dock for a paddle, the steersperson will instruct every paddler to call out your seat number, and state your huli duties.
- Secure extra blades to the canoe when paddling in rough or extreme conditions
- Secure all loose objects in strapped-in mesh bags or dry bags.
- Bring water and a snack when going on a long paddle (especially anything over 90 minutes).
- Wear a life jacket if you feel unsafe.
- Bring a radio and safety kit when leaving the harbor. Always perform a radio check before going out. Use channel 9 for the radio check. Use channel 16 for a distress call.
- Coaches and steersmen periodically check the safety kits (such as for the expiration date of flares and the existence of the first aid kit).
- Every paddler must have a life jacket in the canoe.
- Every OC6 must have two bailers in the canoe, lashed to the 'iako so they don't float away.
- Count strokes out loud to keep timing in rough conditions.
Avoid Hypothermia
Some Facts About Hypothermia
- If you're immersed in water that's 50 degrees F. (which is typical in Monterey Bay in winter), you're likely to die within one-and-a-half hours (usually from heart failure).
- Exhaustion and unconsciousness will occur within 30-to-60 minutes, making it harder to keep yourself from being immersed longer.
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If there's wind, you'll die sooner.
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You can get hypothermic without even getting wet. Winter temperatures of 45 degrees F., with 20-mph winds, are not uncommon on the Monterey Bay in the winter, and these conditions can lead to hypothermia.
Preventing Hypothermia
- Don't capsize! Paddle very safely in cold conditions. Don't paddle in conditions above your crew's ability level.
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Wear no cotton! Wen wet, it stops being an insulator, and instead becomes a heat conductor.
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Layer with fleece, neoprene, nylon, and other synthetics. Wool is fine, but synthetics are lighter, warmer, and retain less water.
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Even if you wear a wetsuit, carry a water-and-windproof outer layer. Once you right your canoe, your wetsuit will stay wet and cause evaporative cooling. An outer layer will help prevent evaporative cooling.
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Wear a wool or similar synthetic hat. Once you're clothed properly, 80-90% of your heat loss will be through your head.
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Wear neoprene booties, especially in an OC1 or OC2.
Survival Strategies if You're Immersed in Water
- Stay with your canoe: right it and get back in, or stay on top of your over-turned canoe until you can be rescued.
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If you get separated from your canoe, don't try to swim more than a kilometer, even in calm water, unless there's a favorable current to help you. Instead:
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Seek help! Call on the radio, blow a whistle, shoot a flare, etc.
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Put on a PFD, keep your arms close to the sides of your chest, cross your legs, and pull them up to close the groin area.
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Huddle closely with others in the water.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
- Mild hypothermia: Uncontrolled, intense shivering. Movements becomes less coordinated. Some pain and discomfort.
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Moderate hypothermia: Shivering slows or stops. Muscles begin to stiffen. Metal confusion and apathy sets in. Speech becomes slow, vague, and slurred. Breathing becomes slower and shallow.
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Severe hypothermia: Skin is cold, may be bluish-gray. Eyes may be dilated. Very weak. Marked lack of coordination. Slurred speech. Exhaustion. Denies problem and may resist help. Gradual loss of consciousness. May become very rigid, unconscious, and appear dead.
Treatment
- The sole consensus regarding pre-hosptial treatment is that all patients should be rewarmed. Many victims who appeared dead have survived when treated.
- Mild hypothermia: Have a warm, sweetened drink (but no alcohol, coffee, or tea) and some high-energy food.
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Moderate hypothermia: Apply mild heat (comfortable to your elbow) to the head, neck, chest, armpits, and groin. Use hot water bottles, wrapped Thermo Pads, or warm, moist towels.
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Severe hypothermia: Place the victim in a prewarmed sleeping bag with one or two other people. Skin-to-skin contact around the ribs and neck is effective. Exhale warm air near the nose and mouth, or induce steam into the area. Try to keep the victim awake, and ignore pleas to "leave me alone, I'm OK."
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If the victim has lost consciousness, be very gentle, as the heart is now extremely sensitive. Apply mild heat, with the aim of stopping further temperature drop, not of rewarming the victim. Always assume the victim is revivable: Don't give up!
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Only if there's no pulse or breathing should you begin to give CPR. Stop only when the heart begins to beat, or you can't carry on any longer without endangering yourself.
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Get medical help, obviously!
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Other Links
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http://www.hypothermia.org/inwater.htm
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http://www.islandnet.com/~sarbc/hypo1.html
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http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hypothermia.htm
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http://www.paddling.jimstrutz.com/page13.html
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