Anybody care to discuss the kind of safety equipment you use when you paddle your OC-1? I think about it more often since my friend broke his paddle while doing a Hawaii Kai run. We ended up sticking the broken ends in a pvc pipe that I made into a fishing pole holder and tied it up using a strip of rubber tubing that I usually keep wound around my iakos.
I try to think of all the kinds of things that could happen while doing a solo run and what sort of thing I would need. Here's a couple scenarious that run in my mind:
1) your iako(s) breaks;
2) your ama breaks/seprates from iako or develops a severe leak;
3) your oc-1 develops a severe leak;
4) complete structural failure of the oc-1 hull and the canoe sinks;
5) paddle breaks;
6) cable breaks at the either end or in the middle; and
7) you get separated from your oc-1
What do you guys do when it comes to safety and what kind of safety gear/equipment do you carry/recommend?
Also, have you guys ever experienced any of the problems I've mentioned above and, if so, what did you do to remedy the situation?
Submitted by Snarfblat on Tue, 12/30/2003 - 2:16pm
I also do the run and carry the following safety gear:
50' floating rope.
Mirror and whistle in Camelbak.
Inflatable life vest in small pouch around the waist.
Pieces of long waterproof tape on the deck my boat.
Bundges on iako. :idea:
I am also considering carrying an extra paddle secured to my iako with a bike tire tube as I have seen others do. I was told that the tire tube will come in handy if iako separates from either the boat or the ama.
#1 Tue, 12/30/2003 - 4:45pm
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We had both iakos break on a hurricane on a run, and had nothing but our leashes to try and fix it with... obviously the leashes were pretty much no use.. so the guy who broke the iakos tried to paddle it like a surfboard in.. which was extremely hard, so next we attempted to put the remaining pieces of iako over another canoe to stabilize the broken hurricane.. that didnt really work either... but as soon as the canoe broke keizo paddled to the nearest beach and got a lifeguard to come out with his jetski.. so he kind of saved the day, as we hadn't made it too far on our own.. but as soon as we got in we discovered that i'd locked the keys in my truck.. so we had to wait at the beach for like 7 hours trying to break in. was a pretty shitty day..
I dont know what we could have done differently.. i dont know how well rubber works to repair two broken iakos, especially in rough seas.. kind of out of luck when they break..
about two years before that we were doing a run and the ocean was really rough.. right after paddling out of the harbor and around the first point one of the two mans that was with us had one of it's iakos break... we had rubber and rope that time, but as hard as we tried there was no way to get the canoe paddleable again.. we ended up have the two paddlers just lie on the back of two one mans.. but the broken two man was still a pretty hard problem. We couldn't tie it to another canoe with the rubber, because it would just slingshot out of control and roll over all the time, so we had to lash it on top of another two mans iakos, which ended up damaging both canoes a little.. the coast guard ended up flying over from oahu to look for us because they'd heard a boat break.. was an exciting day
so i think the moral of the two stories is... as prepared as you ever get.. it probably wont help all that much, the best thing you can do is check your equipment really well before you go out, make sure everythings rigged alright, and no cracks.. then just go out and chance it, hoping that everything goes alright..
my one safety gear i always go with is a cell phone.. go buy a waterproof case for $15, it's been my best investment
#2 Tue, 12/30/2003 - 6:40pm
This is what I carry at all times whether I'm with someone or not:
1) one rubber tube;
2) cell phone in a water proof casing
3) a drybag with a water system.
If I go by myself or with just one other person, I will bring all the other stuff listed above plus:
1) a waterproof VHF Marine radio in a waterproof housing; and
2) a whistle.
I'd like to add on a waterproof GPS plus a small inflatable life preserver as funds permit.
I'm looking at this one website that claims they have the smallest approved inflatable vest but all phone calls and email inquiries to them have not been returned. Anybody heard of them? http://www.seapromarine.com/
#3 Tue, 12/30/2003 - 11:10pm
I use (well I haven't actually 'used' it yet, thankfully) the Sospenders belt pack inflatable PFD. On a calm day I keep it behind me within arms reach. On a rougher day I put the strap loose around my waist, but still wear it backwards. Also, I suppose an empty Camelbak could provide a bit of floatation if things got really bad and you lost your PFD.
#4 Wed, 12/31/2003 - 5:17am
what were the iakos that broke made of? carbon, aluminum?
i carry a hydration pack, cell phone in a zip-lock. that's it.
#5 Wed, 12/31/2003 - 6:22am
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on the hurricane they were the normal carbon ones, and the two man had a wood iako that broke.. it's a good idea to not make your own wood iakos
#6 Wed, 12/31/2003 - 4:29pm
At a MINIMUM, you should have:
1. PFD (Lifejacket)* If using a sports lifejacket, make sure it is
brightly colored for easier spotting. Ideally it would also have pockets to
store the other stuff listed below.
2. 3 Flares - There are some nice small handheld flares that fit nicely in
a zip lock baggy)*
3. A small mirror for signaling.
4. A strobe light that clips to the PFD.
If you can swing it a good waterproof handheld vhf radio is a good thing to
have with you. Cell phones are nice, but there are a lot of dead zones, and
the Coast Guard (or other rescue agency) can't locate your position on a
cell phone, they can if you use a vhf.
That will pretty much cover you for a complete structural failure.
Skipper Rich
#7 Sun, 01/04/2004 - 8:54am
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Cell Phones as Safety Equipment
I’ve been reading a lot of messages on the outrigger group discussing cell phones in a waterproof case as part of your safety equipment. While not a bad idea, there are three inherent faults with relying SOLELY on cell phones for emergency communications.
Ask yourself – “How much is my life worth?” and consider investing in a Submersible Marine VHF radio ($150-$200 US) to AUGMENT your cell phone. I say AUGMENT your cell phone because, as with cell phones, VHF communications rely on having a clear Line of Site between the transmitting and receiving antenna’s, and generally have a limitation of approximately 25 miles (less for handhelds). This can result in “dead” areas just as with cell phones.
The primary advantage to carrying a VHF radio is that rescue agencies can triangulate on the signal, and get a reasonably ACCURATE FIX ON YOUR LOCATION. In addition, other vessels in your area can hear your call for help and potentially come to your aid quite rapidly – a VERY important advantage in cold water or where predators may be present.
The Third leg of this triangle should be a small handheld GPS ($130 US). This will allow you to communicate your precise position and condition.
Finally, NEVER PADDLE ALONE ON OPEN WATER. Assume for a moment that you have huli’d and been knocked unconscious by the ama – How then will you communicate your distress and location?!
“How much is my life worth?”
The Costs:
Cell Phone, 100 grams, $100 + service
VHF Radio, 10 oz and up, $125 and up
GPS, 3 oz and up, $99.00 and up
Paddle hard, paddle Safe!
Skipper Rich
rmlagrand@cox.net
#8 Tue, 01/06/2004 - 11:05am
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I thought the cell phone was so that you can tell your love ones "goodbye"?
All kidding aside, I try to carry both. The VHF radio is used to call someone while you're in the water and in distress.
The cell phone is used to call someone when you are out of the water and the end of the run and are in distress 'cause you need a ride.
#9 Tue, 01/06/2004 - 3:21pm
A person on the yahoo outrigger group mentioned seeing cell phones with built in GPS's on Tactical to Practical (History channel). This reminded me that I had seen handheld VHF's with the same capability.
ICOM makes just such a unit, but it's heavy (1.1 lb) and pricey ($800-900 US).
For those of you that are interested in obtaining such a unit (available internationally), enter "ic-gm1500" in your search engine. This unit is designed for commercial liferaft use.
If ICOM makes it, I'm sure other manufacturers have models with similar capability.
Skipper Rich
www.uscgaux-danapoint.org
www.members.cox.net/rmlagrand
#10 Wed, 01/07/2004 - 4:25am
Tom Fishbeck on the yahoo group pointed me to the Uniden Mystic combination VHF/GPS handheld.
Good article on this unit at
http://www.docksidemagazine.com/Oct03/Electronics/UnidenMystic_1.html
Pricing appears to be around $300
Sources:
http://deeptronics.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_25/products_id/...
and http://www.gpsonsale.com/displayroom/products/uniden-mystic.htm
Westmarine wants $400.
The pricing and weight is a LOT more appropriate for kanu's than the ICOM
model I referred to earlier.
Skipper Rich
www.uscgaux-danapoint.org
www.members.cox.net/rmlagrand
#11 Thu, 01/08/2004 - 7:31am
The vast majority of the responses I have received about my writings on the issue of Safety Equipment have been positive and grateful for the information provided. Some even refered to friends or family who died while paddling because they did not have the appropriate equipment.
I have received one note where a paddler disagreed, stating that lugging all this gear (citing gear way beyond what was recommended) around interferes with the spirit of paddling. They further pointed out that they had been paddling a long time, and had never had an instance where they were endangered.
For those of you that feel similarly, consider the following qoute:
"When anyone asks me how I can best describe my experience in nearly forty years at sea, I merely say, uneventful. Of course there have been winter gales, and storms and fog and the like. But in all my experience, I have never been in any accident ... of any sort worth speaking about. I have seen but one vessel in distress in all my years at sea. I never saw a wreck and never have been wrecked nor was I ever in any predicament that threatened to end in disaster of any sort”
Edward J. Smith - 1907
Captain, RMS Titanic (sunk 5 years later under his command)
My point is that the kind of complacency that comes from long experience without incident can be deadly. Anyone that travels on the waters of the world needs to be careful to always respect their beauty and power. These waters can be most unforgiving.
Those of us that are married or have children in particular have a moral obligation to do everything possible to ensure our safety while enjoying the sport to the fullest extent possible. How much "aloha" is there in the phrase "Your husband/father/wife/mother/brother/sister/friend is dead"?, particularly when a few hundred dollars and a pound or two of equipment could have saved that life?
So again I ask, "How much is your life worth?", to you, to your family, and your friends.
Clearly there are times when less gear is fine. For example, when paddling in a sponsored race event with safety/escort boats in attendance, there is little need for flares, cell phones, GPS's, or radio's. But when paddling alone, it is only wise to have these items with you "just in case". The simple fact is, they will probably never be needed. But that one time they ARE needed is the one that matters....and it only takes once.
Finally, this issue is not limited to OC1's as the subject line implies. The safety gear required are applicable to canoes of all sizes. Just ask the club that lost a paddler in an OC6 when it was out practicing alone on the ocean. A pound more of gear, and a few hundred dollars invested, and that paddler would most likely be alive today.....enjoying his sport.
Paddle hard, paddle safe
Skipper Rich
www.uscgaux-danapoint.org
www.members.cox.net/rmlagrand
#12 Fri, 01/09/2004 - 5:40am
I commend everyone who has offered their personal knowledge and opinion on this very serious subject. Of all the different topics that are discussed, This is the Number One Priority!. Stay on Top of the water, and Not on the Bottom. This is a hollow craft , that with one bite, or any type of impact or mal-function. Your Sinking. Even if you break down and stay on the surface, Mother Nature can throw you a curve ball. Next thing you know your out at sea, and if its Dark or light, your still at the mercy of the ocean. There is a reason why the water sports of Windsurfing & Surfing has yet to produce a molded Hollow board, though it has been experimented in the past with success, they realized the drawback when it comes to punctures or defects. It sinks.
Its your Life !.
Kudo's to all that helps promote prevention and awareness.
#13 Fri, 01/09/2004 - 9:34am
Hello...
This is Jason @ DeepTronics.Com. I can make you a very good deal on the Uniden Mystic and the plug-in accessory mic that goes with it. Visit http://deeptronics.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_25/products_id/... for more info or call me at 810-636-2113, or email me at jason@deeptronics.com.
Thx,
Jason@
Deeptronics.com
#14 Wed, 01/14/2004 - 6:14am
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Jason,
I know you posted this over 4 and a half years ago, which is before you should have known better. But it's 2008 now, and I just think you should cough up some dough for Keizo. Your "ad" has been up on this site for about 1700 days now.
#15 Sun, 08/31/2008 - 5:24pm
I have a very light weight floating and built in gps radio made by Standard Horizon model HX850S. I think it was $250. less then a pound.
#16 Sun, 08/31/2008 - 5:55pm
Painteur, I am going to buy one, seems like a great unit. The seapromarine.com belt looks so great because it will (according to their add) keep your head above the water if you can manage the pull the cord. The design looks very cool how it floats up under the arms to keep the head up. Very cool. Website looks a little sketchy though, not sure why.
#17 Sun, 08/31/2008 - 6:05pm
I don't know where you guys are carrying all this gear. Present OC-1 designs have little room or tie-downs for it. That's why I started the lifejacket thread. I'm glad I bought some Lash-its from Ocean Paddle Sports.
With all the leashes, etc. we run a chance of fouling in our own safety gear. I'd add a knife to the list. I had a British SBS kayaking instructor who used to drone, "Carry a knife, save a life."
I carry a lockblade Spyderco Pacific Salt Plain Edge in the pocket of my jams with a small bungee loop to put around my wrist. The great thing about bungee is if it catches on something it will let YOU loose.
Now you guys in those cute bicycle shorts don't have no pockets.
~~~~~~~~~~
YankeeHo'okele
"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm" - Syrus Publilius
#18 Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:36am
Safety gear is obviously important, but if you're farther out than you can swim in, maybe the most important thing is, buddy up.
Yankee, true those cute cycling shorts got no pockets, but those cute girls like us in them.
#19 Mon, 09/01/2008 - 3:42pm
I have a leash on my V1, a spare paddle, a bailer, some rubber and adhesive tape, a cellphone in waterproof bag,... but I have to agree with Jibofo, my most important security equipment is a friend paddling by my side.
#20 Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:51pm
Hiro - how/where do you attach the leash on a V1? Doesn´t the cockpit get in the way if you attach to the iakos?
#21 Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:34pm
These are all you need. Don't leave home without em..
#22 Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:35pm
I drilled a hole on the deck near the cockpit to attach the leash... I really like to drill holes !
#23 Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:34pm
heads up on a deal for a marine radio for $40
looked up the spec and it is rated for 30 minutes submersion at 1 meter. i would still put it in a waterproof bag regardless.
either radio or cell phone would work...
if you blow off the need for any safety equipment, that's your call. everyone else: check it out.
#24 Fri, 01/30/2009 - 6:46am
if a cable breaks you can use your leash. tie one end to broken side at the rudder and the other end to iako. make sure there is enough tension so it pulls the canoe to that side. use the good side to steer. a quick fix for broken iako if you have rubber and a spare paddle. depending on where the break is, you might be able to splint it. we used a rashguard once because thats all we had. at least a leash, spare paddle and some bike tube rubber, especially if you paddle alone.
#25 Fri, 01/30/2009 - 8:12pm
bobc. the Standard Horizon HX850S is nest on priority list. i am more often paddling alone because of my schedule so anytime i know and plan on paddleing more than a half mile off the beach i have a lifevest w/pockets to hold a signalmirror(a cd works just fine) three handheld flairs,whistle,a pair of webbed paddleing gloves(that are flat and thin) and my cell phone which i know can work between Dana Point and Catalina island(because i've used it a fairnumber of times with friends on boats while i was out paddling)! so now all these things fit in the pockets of the lifevest!!! Also on two occasions i have put my swimfins under the bunge behind my seat because those two times the surface was big and mixed-up conditions. The only time i had a prooblem was when i was catching waves off a reef approx three quarters of a mile off the beach and my all-carbon paddle broke in half (the shaft) and because i diden't plan on being any farther off the beach i diden't take any of the safety gear!! but all was well as i was able to lay on the canoe and paddle it like a surfboard faster and easier than trying to use the blade-half of the broken paddle!!! i have a couple of friends that have the hx850s and use them always on their paddles' and say the radio is tops!!!! Mahalo-bob c.
#26 Fri, 01/30/2009 - 8:19pm
Also Uniden Mystic VHF/GPS Mapping Marine Radio.
It gives speed and visual location aside from being marine radio.
It also sends a GPS coordinates with a distress call.
#27 Sat, 01/31/2009 - 4:14am
a guy that worked for the coast guard posted hear once that it is a great idea to put your name on your canoe so if they find it they wont have to wounder if your out there and if its stolen they can find the owner . i thought that was a great idea so I got some stickers made with my phone # and I put them on my canoes
#28 Sat, 01/31/2009 - 6:01am