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RISKS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Everyone on an outrigger canoe is in some way responsible for their own safety
as well as ensuring the safety of the fellow paddler. The Wakinikona
Hawaiian Club Hui Wa'a requires upon entry to the club that each team member be
insured with the club. {See the Wa'a head coach for more information on
insurance} In addition to these requirements, there are other operating
procedures and safety protocols that the team adheres to and including State and
Coast Guard rules on Boating Safety.
GET IN THE
HABIT OF BEING RESPONSIBLE
Arrive at the
beach early so that you have time to prepare for practicing/racing by checking
your gear, performing the proper land exercises/stretching and checking weather
forecasts. Arriving early will also give time for the team to discuss the
day's events and more efficiently plan.
CONSIDER THE
CIRCUMSTANCES
Are the water conditions rough? Is it raining, or is the surface temperature of
the water cold enough to warrant additional covering? Do you have the right emergency equipment
aboard? Is there a possibility that you may be on the water after dark? Was a
float plan left with someone ashore (in case you are overdue)? Does everybody
know what to do in case of an emergency? ANY emergency? If you, as a steersman
OR a coach, do not consider these and similar questions EVERY time you launch?
Perhaps your replacement will?! These questions should be addressed by the
steersman of each craft and discussed with the team members.
SAFETY
TRAINING
It is always a good idea to have a member of the team on each craft that is
certified with the Red Cross for CPR in the unfortunate event that first aid is
needed at the time of an accident. Having the proper life-saving equipment
onboard will also ensure that the Hui Wa'a can operate during practice and
racing with the maximum level of safety for all involved. Some of this
onboard equipment and options are listed below:
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Personal
Floatation Devices
Emergency
Signaling device
Bailers
PFD's
{Personal Floatation Device}
To be legal (in the U.S., U.S. territories, etc.) you MUST have: One PFD for
every person aboard, and a proper emergency signaling device. The PFD, or
lifejacket/vest, is rather strait forward. You MUST HAVE ONE FOR EVERY PERSON
ABOARD!!! and YES this INCLUDES Hawai'i! (Don't EVEN mention real or imagined
"traditions" on this topic! Believe me, I've heard it all!). The "proper"
emergency signaling device takes a little explanation but it's not complicated.
They run about US$7+ each.
EMERGENCY
SIGNALING DEVICE
What's "proper" depends on if it's day or night. You can use a flag or a smoke
signal during the day, but obviously they are moronic (AND not legal) at night.
Therefore flares make a good choice. There are day flares, night flares, and
day/night flares. Obviously the day/night flares make the most sense.
U.S. Coast Guard
regulations require that flares be rated at least with 500 candlelight power. I've yet
to come across a statute that requires a specific number of flares aboard,
however I'm told safety experts suggest a mix of aerial(US$5+) and hand-held
(US$12+) types. The size of the flare usually depending on how far you go out to
sea.
The main
considerations are brightness of the flare and it's burn duration. The brighter
the flare, the farther away it can be seen. The longer it burns, the more likely
you will be spotted at a glance. Duration is also important when the seas are
high and during daylight hours. I use day/night aerial flares that last about 10
seconds and hand-held flares that last about two minutes.
BAILERS
Then, of course, there is the bailer. It is preferred to have three
to four bailers in the outrigger canoe. One
each at seats 2, 3, 4 or 5. Many get by, and do fine, with just one. MY
rationale is having one bailer is like having one flare, what do you do if you
loose it? Having more than one bailer allows several persons to bail
simultaneously (distributing the workload and making it easier on everybody!). I
like 1-gallon orange juice containers (it's orange, has a good handle and the
plastic is tough enough).
Finally, EACH of
these items are to be kept in serviceable condition AND readily available for
use!!! NO TYING THEM DOWN in such a way that they cannot be EASILY and QUICKLY
used!
RECOMMENDED
EQUIPMENT
Most of these are, as far as the law is concerned, a matter of choice. I suggest
the following:
1 VHF radio
1 Heat/Cold pack
1 Whistle
1ea
Green/Red/White light sticks
1 Flashlight
1 Tow line
VHF RADIO
A VHF radio needn't be kept with EVERY outrigger, but at least one per practice
should be included even if not far from shore! It's not that you couldn't YELL
at someone ashore, it's so you can speak DIRECTLY with an emergency service (the
Coast Guard) saving critical minutes. Recently there was a discussion on VHF
radio choices. They vary widely in cost (approx. US$125 to US$300+) depending on
size and features. What was not discussed was 'waterproofing.' This is an issue
with most older models but there are waterproofing bags made for VHF radios
available at most marine supply stores (about US$5).
NOTE:
Take the time to learn PROPER VHF radio usage and what channels are monitored by
whom! Technically, you need a license to operate one but the paperwork is
usually included. Unlike a cell-phone, a VHF signal can be traced back to its'
source even if the battery is low. CB radios are NOT monitored by ocean-going
vessels and entities. At least leave a float plan with someone with your
estimated time of return.
HEAT/COLD
PACKS
A heat pack may give the added time one needs to stay alive. Cold packs are
basically "instant ice" you can keep with you and could prove invaluable in
cases of hyperthermia (as opposed to hypothermia). About US$2+ each.
WHISTLE
When interviewed, the base commander of a U.S. Coast Guard station reminded me
of an incident where five people were in the water for many days after their
boat sank. SEVERAL times rescuers passed within a few yards of them. Each time
close enough to hear the conversations aboard and yet the rescuers neither saw
nor HEARD them. Given fairly good conditions you must be about five yards away
from the rescuers to be reasonably sure of being spotted. FIVE YARDS! and you
STILL may not be seen or heard! An emergency/survival whistle or horn can make
you heard over wind, water, engines or distractions.
LIGHT STICKS
Or running lights, are to be used ANYTIME visibility is limited. This means that
if visibility is anything LESS than "unlimited" (including daytime), and your
outrigger is NOT displaying navigation lights (red= left, green= right, white=
aft), the U.S. Coast Guard is perfectly within their rights to cite you (the
steersman) and escort you back!
Light sticks
cost about US$2+ each, and there are flashlight-type running lights. However
they are prone to corrosion or require batteries which too often rundown.
FLASHLIGHT
A flashlight, flasher or a white light stick should be carried. Note: Coast Guard
regulations do not clearly categorize an OC-6. Therefore, depending on how your
state interprets the law, you could
be cited for not using/having one aboard. It's a good idea to have one handy
anyway!
TOW LINE
Not as important for saving lives as for saving your outrigger! A 1½ inch x 80
foot nylon tow-line should suffice (keeping a knife handy to cut loose instantly
in case of emergency is not a bad idea!).
OTHER
EQUIPMENT
Packets of easily digested food (i.e. "Gu") may give needed energy at crucial
times. Dye markers are so compact, inexpensive, and make spotting victims from
the air easier. Reasonable clothing where possible is your last line of defense
against hypothermia. A bright green/orange/red cap can help make you easier to
spot (NO, you don't HAVE to wear it while paddling but having it handy on your
person might be a good idea).
Obviously there
are LOTS of other gadgets and gizmos you can
get. Use your judgment on these but BE SAFE! THEN have fun!
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