Sea Kayak - Health & Safety Sea Kayaking can be a safe, enjoyable and healthy sport. However, a few guidelines and rules need to be followed in order to keep you happy, healthy and out of trouble. These safety guidelines comprise of three areas: Kayak Gear, Kayak Training, and Trip Planning.
Kayak Gear
To enjoy safe kayaking, a paddler needs to be properly equipped. The gear equipment list varies according to the length of the trip and the environmental conditions under which you are paddling. A summer day trip on an inland lake will have a short equipment list of a few basic items. A week long trip along the Pacific coast will have a much longer equipment list. Along with the gear for the boat, a paddler needs to carefully consider camping equipment, clothing, emergency supplies, food and water.
For a more comprehensive discussion of essential equipment, please refer to the following two chapters: You can purchase your Sea Kayak Gear by visiting our on-water showroom or you can purchase it online at our Kayak and Canoe Gear web store. Kayak Training Although sea kayaking is not a difficult sport it does have different levels of difficulty. We highly recommend that novice paddlers take training courses to ensure their skill level meets the conditions under which they are paddling. Many outfitters, tour companies and paddling clubs host a variety of courses to suit all experience levels. These will enable the newbie kayaker to master roll overs, execute recovery techniques, develop correct paddling form all in a controlled on water classroom setting before hitting the big water. Reading a book and looking at pictures are no substitute for hands on training and experience. Any paddle enthusiast is smart to start slow and build on a firm foundation before embarking on more difficult trips such as extended ocean voyages or in more extreme climates.
A kayak, although small, is subject to a set of boating and navigation regulations set out by Transport Canada called "Sea Kayaking Safety Guide". This means that paddlers must familiarize themselves with and abide by these regulations. A copy of the boating safety manual is available free of charge from most outfitters or by contacting the Canadian Coast Guard www.boatingsafety.gc.ca . Kayakers embarking on longer trips in more challenging conditions such as coastal waters must acquire additional knowledge of marine chart navigation, tide tables, shipping channels, and be familiar with the use of specialized equipment such as marine radios and GPS receivers.
Procedures Don’t be one of the graduates of the School of Hard Knocks, the College of Disappointment, or the University of Calamity, be prepared and plan ahead. The key to any successful trip is in the planning. Perfection comes through consistency over time and reflection on what could have been done better. Develop a system of checks and balances when embarking on a voyage whether it is a day trip or a weeklong excursion and avoid being caught unprepared. Sample Check Lists Progressive Sea Kayak Safety Equipment Check List
| A | A + B
| A + B + C
| A + B + C + D
| Basic List Day Trip on Small Lakes and Rivers - Warm Season
| Day Trip on Big Water - Large Lake or Ocean Coast Basic List Plus: | Additional Gear for: Multi-Day Expeditions on Small Lakes and Rivers
| Even More Gear for:
Multi-day Expeditions on Big Water or Cold Weather Climate
| - Extra Paddle
- Paddle Leash
- Paddle Float
- PFD
- Whistle
- Throwline
- Bilge Pump
- Sponge
- Paddle Float
- Chart
- Drinking Water
- Energy Snacks
- Sunglasses
- Hat with Brim
- Sunscreen
- Gloves
- Kayak Shoes
- First Aid Kit
- Flash Light
- Multi-Tool
- Tow Line
- Watch
| - Spray Skirt
- Sponge
- Appropriate Clothes
- Paddling Jacket
- Marine Radio
- Compass
- Tide Table
- GPS
- Weather Forecast
- Distress Flares
- Air Horn
- Signal Mirror
- Strobe Light
- Binoculars
- Extra Rations
- Extra Water
- Change of Clothes
- Warm Clothes
- Rain Gear
- Watertight dry bag
- Boat Repair Kit
| - Tent
- Ground Sheet
- Tarp
- Sleeping Bag
- Stove + Fuel
- Hatchet
- Pots and Pans
- Cooking Utensils
- Dish Soap
- Fire Starter
- Waterproof Matches
- Extra Eye Glasses
- Medication
- Sufficient Food
- Water Filter
- Toilet Paper
- Small Shovel
- Survival Rations
- Extra Chart
- Extra Batteries
- Waterproof Bags
- Sewing Kit
- Camp Clothes
- Kayak Clothes
- Insect Repellant
- Extra Rope
| - Dry Suit
- Neoprene Skull Cap
- Pogies
- Heavy Rain Gear
- Thermos
- Wet Suit Booties
- Artic Sleeping Bag
- ELT Emergency Radio Beacon
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Click here for a Printable Copy of the above chart Sea Kayak Excursion Check List.
Canoe and Kayak Float PlanWhether out for the day or an extended excursion, alone or with a group a Float Plan is a recommended tool to ensure your safety. There is no official form that is used for a Float Plan but many can be found on the Internet or in various books. Whether you choose to use an existing form or create one yourself, all Float Plans should contain some basic information. Name, phone # of land contact person, Date, Time you left, destination, mode of transport ie canoe kayak (colour, license if applicable) number & names of people in your party, safety equipment you have and means of communication, time you expect to return. A copy of your Float Plan should be left on the dash of your vehicle and given to someone you know with instructions on who to contact should you not return at the designated time. Always remember to contact the person you left the Float Plan with upon your safe return to avoid unnecessary concern.
Please refer to our Float Plan when venturing out or creating you own to ensure you have covered all the bases. Click here for a printable copy of our Float Plan .
Canoe and Kayak Food and Cooking Tips Food can make or break an expedition. There are som basic principals and practices that can make the culinary aspect of a voyage safe and successful. Make a food menu when planning the trip and then shop to fill the menu. Carefully measure the portions so that food is not wasted. Keep track of what you packed and where. Use pre-cooked and easy to prepare foods for the first night in the wilderness, as this day is usually very hectic and tiring. Be sure to consume foods that spoil more easily first. Foods that are to be consumed on days one and two can be grouped and packed together. Likewise foods for days three and four can be grouped. This will help to ration food and avoid waste. Keep veggies cool and dry to avoid them going limp or moldy. Pull the veggies out every two days to dry and air them out. If you leave them in the kayak on the shore during the heat of the day, put the boat in the shade or cover the boat with a reflective blanket to prevent them from heating up. When bagging food, compress the bags to expel all the air, or use a straw to draw the air out. This will reduce the volume for storage in the boat and keep the food fresh longer.
Be very careful with food hygiene. It is often easy to let one's guard down in the wilderness and tolerate practises that would not be allowed in the home kitchen. Poor hygiene is the leading cause of food poisoning. A case of food poisoning in the wilderness can be very painful, debilitating, and even fatal in extreme instances. A few simple procedures ill avoid this unpleasantness.
Carry a small bottle of bleach. A teaspoon in a litre of water and it becomes a sanitiizing agent for utensils. A few drops of it in a litre of water left for a hour will purify the water for drinking and dish washing. Wash your hands before handling and preparing the food. Wash your hands after handling any raw meats. Wash and sanitize the utensils after preparing raw foods. The water may be cold, but wash, wash, wash. Rinse dishes well after washing with soap. Many cases of gastric distress in the woods are caused, not by bad food, but by risidual soap left behind after hasty rinsing. Avoid using glass containers. They break and then become sharp projectiles that tear flesh and waterproof bags. Hydration Remaining hydrated is crucial in any athletic activity. Kayaking is no exception. You should drink between 2 and 4 litres of water per day. Drink before you get thirsty. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Dehration will rob you of strength and stamina. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as these are diuretics. If your urine is dark, that is an indicator that you are dehydrated.
Always treat water sourced in the wilderness. Use a charcoal filter, boil the water, or treat with chlorine bleach. A few drops of chlorine bleach in a litre of water left to stand for a hour will purify the water for drinking. The unpleasant chlorine odour will disappear in 8-12 hours. If collecting rain water, do so under an open sky not under trees. Rain shedding off of trees may contain bird feces or other contaminants that will make you sick. If kayaking in cold weather, a thermos filled with hot soup goes a long way to take the chill off.
Kayak Clothing What you wear is as important as any of your other gear on an expedition. It can make or break your trip. A few key considerations are to: - dress in layers.
- dress for the worst weather you may encounter.
- have spare changes of clothes.
- have separate clothes for in kayak and in camp.
Your outer layer of clothing should be nylon to break the wind and shed water. Be careful with your nylon garments around a camp fire as the embers will quickly burn holes in the nylon and ruin its capability. Your inner layer of clothing should be of polyester fleece. This will be warm and wick away moisture. It also washes well and drys easily. On a longer expedition, be prepared to wash clothes. This will enable you to pack less clothing and more food and other supplies. Use Viscose campers towels to dry wet clothing. This material absorbs 20 times its weight in water. When you wring out a viscose towel wrapped with a fleece garment, the water will transfer to the towel leaving the fleece apparel nearly dry. Do not dry clothes too close to the camp fire as stray sparks and embers will damage them.
Always pack raingear unless kayaking in the desert. In colder climates, use heavy non-breathable waterproof rainwear. This will keep you dry which is necessary to stay warm. In cold weather, a waterproof paddling jacket with tight wrist and neck enclosures is necessary to keep the water out. A dry suit along with gloves or pogies may even become necessary in cold weather coastal areas. A neoprene skull cap or woolen toque should be used to protect your head from heat loss.
Canoe and Kayak Communication and Electronics Communication equipment falls into two categories:
One Way Communication Devices include: Flares, Whistles, Horns, GPS, Strobe Lights, Flags, Mirrors, E.P.I.R.B.
Two Way Communication Devices include: VHF Marine Radio, Cell Phone, Satellite Phone, 2 way Walkie Talkies.
Please note that all of the above items may not be waterproof and therefore may need special housing in order to protect them from the elements. Some communication devices may have limited transmitting and receiving capabilities, make sure you are aware of the limitations. Also note that your means of communication must be readily accessible so help can be summoned when an emergency arises.
Test all your electronic gadgets before you leave home to make sure they are fully functional. Pack extra batteries for each of them. Be sure to turn them off after each use during the voyage to preserve the batteries. Weather Always check the weather before heading out on a kayak adventure. Because kayaking is a water sport, you will need to check the marine weather forecast not just the standard forecast. The weather out on the water can be very different from the weather experienced on the land. The marine forecast advises boaters of winds and wave heights. This will help you in planning your trip, deciding your launch point and the direction of travel. It will make your decision “to paddle or not to paddle” an easy one. On an expedition, the forecast should be checked regularly as weather on the water can change very quickly. Remember, the bigger the body of water, the nastier and more dangerous the weather. If a storm is seen approaching, head for shore.
Be prepared to adapt to local conditions. The average wind speed can more than double passing through narrows. Local currents and tides should be known and planned for in advance. Expect the unexpected and prepare for the worst. Always have alternate routes and landing places marked on the chart and seek shelter from adverse conditions. Remember when paddling in a group to keep your weakest or least experienced paddlers in mind when planning any outing. Navigation and Seamanship Kayaks are unique boats. When mixed in with other marine vessels the differences become very apparent. Therefore, some unique considerations and procedures need to be followed. Because kayaks have such sleek, low profile silouette on the water, they are difficult to see, especially looking over the bow of a speeding power boat or a ocean going freighter. Kayaks, although graceful, also move much slower than other water craft. These aspects can lead to dangerous situations including collision and swamping or upset. Be visible to other boaters. Your sea kayak should be brightly coloured such as yellow, orange, lime green or red. In busy traffic cluttered waters, a mast with a flag may be a good idea. A strobe light is even better as it is more visible. Reflective tape on your kayak and paddle can also heighten your profile. Yet another option in areas with large shipping is a radar reflector. Communicate with other craft. In high traffic areas, use a hand held marine radio to advise other boaters of your position and intentions especially when crossing boating channels. When paddling in a group cross the channel together as a unit. This will maximize your visibility to other boaters and minimize the chances of collision. Stay out of the way. As much as possible avoid shipping channels where large vessels such as freighters and ferries transit. These ships are often limited in their manueverability due to their bulk, inertia, draft and shipping channels. A human powered kayak is usually among the slowest of boats, therefore your options to move are limited as well. Use discernment and common sense. Know the rules of marine navigation and regulations for small vessels. Learn to navigate using a marine chart, compass, and GPS. Learn how to deal with winds, currents, and tides. Plan your route for the weakest paddler in your entourage. Include allowances for unforeseen problems. We hope you enjoyed Frontenac Outfitters Sea Kayaking Health and Safety Article. Please email us with any suggestions, comments or omissions. You can purchase your Sea Kayak Safety Gear by visiting our on-water showroom or you can purchase it online at our Kayak and Canoe Gear web store.
Happy Paddling!
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