Jon is an ACA Level 4 Flatwater Kayak Instructor, Owner of Adventures On The Grand  and the paddlesport buyer for Bill and Paul’s Sporthaus.

A few years ago I was asked to talk on kayak safety during a sales event at Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus.  I immediately went to their accessories wall and started lining up pumps, pfd’s, paddle floats, lights, proper clothing, etc…  This is all very typical equipment sold to those who purchase their first day touring or sea kayak.  We also use these pieces in every beginner sea kayaking class.  They make for an interesting presentation because they can be attached mentally with any number of recovery situations on the water.

As I stood looking at this pile of gear and adding up its cost I started thinking about my experiences with groups on the water, and about my widening folder of news stories I clip and save outlining kayaking mishaps, misery, and even dying that occurs every season around the Great Lakes.  As I mentally applied the safety gear to some of these situations, I realized there was much more to being safe on the water than buying a bucket load of stuff.  In many situations kayakers who end up in trouble possess some or all of the necessary safety gear.  What they didn’t possess was the experience or common sense to keep them from getting into trouble in the first place. 

And suddenly my outline started taking a little different form.   I realized that yes; PROPER EQUIPMENT is a factor in our safety once on the water.  I believe however there are two other primary factors involved in making a day on the water safe, the HUMAN and ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS.  Put together the three create the Triangle of Safety that helps insure your time on the water is filled with fun rather than distress.  

THE HUMAN FACTORS- I start here because if your paddling partners aren’t up for the day or trip ahead, you’re wasting your time thinking through the other two corners of the triangle.  For each paddler involved in your outing consider the following:

HEALTH-What is everyone’s physical condition and what can they realistically do in a kayak?  How fit are they?  Does anyone have health or medical concerns that may be a limiting factor on the water?  What fears might someone have about being away from shore, in waves, wearing a sprayskirt, etc…  What’s everyone’s Dietary needs?
EXPERIENCE-Are each individual’s experiences relevant to the day ahead?  I often hear new kayakers talk about how much canoeing they’ve done on rivers, or how many days they’ve been out in their small recreational kayak.  How does that help them paddle 8 or 9 miles of open water?  Have they ever had to paddle into the wind or waves?  How does camping from an RV relate to sleeping on a rock in the backcountry?   Have they ever tipped a kayak and how will they respond if it happens now?
SKILLS-What kayaking skills does everyone have (can they perform rescues, are they trained in efficient strokes, and so on)?  What about their interpersonal skills (being able to get along with others in a group, respond to leadership)?  What outdoor skills do they  posses (fire building, weather reading, first aid training)?   Can they cook, sing, read a map?  It’s nice to know these things beforehand.

Bottom line here, don’t put folks in situations where they don’t belong and you’ll have a safer day.

THE ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS-A big part of why we paddle is that we get outside and into nature.  Knowing a few things about your paddling environment is essential to having a great day on the water.  Make sure you understand the following:

WEATHER-You must know the forecast and the effect it will have on your day.  Leaving shore without a short and long range forecast has caused many kayaking accidents.
WIND & WAVES-Headwinds are fatiguing, waves can be dangerous.  Knowing the weather forecast will help you know what to expect in general, but you’ll also need to know how they interact with the actual body of water you’re paddling that day.
PADDLING ENVIRONMENT-To often folks hear of a cool place to paddle and head there without taking the time to study the environment.  Use maps to help plan distances, take-out options, or existing hazards.  Are there power boaters to be aware of?  When landing, are there plants or animals to be concerned about?
WATER TEMPERATURE-This single factor has taken more lives from boaters than any other.  If you’re not prepared to spend time floating in cold water, stay off the lake or very near shore.  Plan for treating hypothermia when the possibility exists for being a cold, wet paddler.

By assessing the environment both before and during your trip, you can avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.  Be flexible in planning your day on the water.

PROPER EQUIPMENT-Be a good scout, Be Prepared.  A great group on the best planned trip will still experience unplanned events.  Having the right gear and knowing how to use it may keep an uncomfortable accident from turning into an emergency.  Consider the following before leaving shore:

PFD-Your life vest.  Everyone, regardless of where you paddle, should be wearing one.  Simply having it on the kayak might make you legal, but your boat doesn’t need floatation, you do!
THE KAYAK-Not all kayaks are created equal.  Understand the features of yours and where it belongs on the water.  Generally speaking the shorter and wider the kayak, the closer to shore you need to be.
CLOTHING-Yes, it’s equipment too.  While cotton shirts and shorts are perfect for hanging out in on shore, they have no place in a kayak.  Synthetic or wool shirts, swim trunks, and layers allow you to stay warm and comfortable, even when wet.  As the water temp goes down the layers you wear need to increase.  Wet and drysuits are the choice of most open water kayakers, especially in the Great Lakes region.  And don’t forget about covering your head, hands, and feet for the conditions at hand.
ACCESSORIES-The more you paddle, the more of these you’ll aquire.  Make sure you know how and when to use them.  Here’s a short list of some of the basics.
    A wristwatch-How long have you been paddling and is it time to go back?
    Spray Skirt, Pump, and Paddle Float
    First Aid & Repair Kits
    Signaling Devices-Whistle, Cell Phone, Horn, Flares, Marine Radio, Mirror
    Extra Paddle
    Towing systems

In our school we tell students our programs have two goals.  By applying what they learn in class they’ll have more fun the next time they paddle and they will make the right decisions and won’t end up a sound bite on the six o’clock news or in the local newspaper because something went wrong.  Putting yourself in the center of the triangle and thinking through these factors before your trip will hopefully have the same results.

Safe and Happy Paddling